Jan von Hoyer was born in Lodz, Poland in 1898 and graduated from the University of Kiev with a degree in architecture.

Jan and his brother Czeslaw along with Lapitsky, Unger and Lifar fled Russia and escaped the approaching Bolsheviks as students in Bronislava Nijinska’s Ecole de Mouvement.

He joined Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1923 on the recommendation of Nijinska and remained with the company until its dissolution in 1929, at which point he was briefly with the Anna Pavlova Ballet. 

He then joined Colonel de Basil’s Ballets Russes as both a character dancer and Director (Regisseur/Assistant Regisseur) during a tour that led the company to perform in Australia for two season. After serving in the Polish air force during the second world war, Hoyer was character dancer and Director of the International Ballet in London. In 1947 he settled in New York with his wife, the dancer Natalie Branitzka, where both taught classes in their own school. His wife, danced in the 1st tour as well along with Jan’s brother (Czeslaw – often referred to as “Hoyer II” in ballet programs) and sister-in-law, Nina Natova. 

Jan died in New York on December 13, 1954.

Select accomplishments:

• Bronislava Nijinska’s Ecole de Mouvement (student)
• Ballets de la Jeunesse, Paris (Dancer)
• Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo from 1923 to 1929 and then part of De Basil's company 1932-1939 & 1947 (Dancer/Director/Regisseur)
• Covent Garden Russian Ballet (Regisseur-General)
• International Ballet, London (Dancer/Director)

For information and photos, visit the Facebook pages: 

Jan von Hoyer and BalletRusseFamily