Distinguished Alumni: Barbara Jean Hamblin

Barbara Jean Hamblin was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon. She came to Salt Lake City in 1958 at the age of 18 to pursue study in classical ballet at the University of Utah in the Department of Speech, at the time a division of the Theatre Department. Hamblin was a charter member of Utah Civic Ballet established in 1963, later to become Ballet West, where she became a principal artist in 1966. Hamblin was met with critical success in several leading roles including Balanchine’s “Serenade,” “Concerto Barocco,” “Symphony in C,” and Willam Christensen’s “Coppelia,” “Cinderella,” “La Valse,” and “Firebird.” After her performing career ended in 1970, she continued her education and graduated from the University of Utah in 1973. She began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the U’s Department of Ballet in 1972. She was then awarded a full-time teaching position in 1984, and was appointed chairwoman of the Department of Ballet in 1988. Upon her retirement in 2007, she was awarded the rank of Professor Emerita.