Principal dancer

A principal dancer (often shortened to principal) is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company. A principal may be of any gender and is usually the star of the ballet. The term is used mostly in ballet but can be used in other forms as well, such as modern dance. The term senior principal dancer is sometimes used as well. The position is similar to that of soloist; however, principals regularly perform not only solos, but also pas de deux as well as headlining performances they participate in. Principal dancers can be hired into a dance company or can also be promoted from within the company. That process can take multiple performance seasons to achieve based on skill level and company interest.