Billy Wilson and Sonja van Beers

While dancing with the Dutch National Ballet, Wilson met and danced in many ballets with Sonja van Beers. Some of their most notable works include Jazz Nocturne choreographed by Karel Shook, Suite en blanc choreographed by Serge Lifar, and The Four Temperaments choreographed by George Balanchine. They married in 1965 in the Netherlands, but soon returned to the United States. Upon returning United States, Sonja and Billy created their own dance company in Boston but was short-lived.  They had two children, Alexis and Parker. Their relationship did not last, and Billy took on a new lover, Chip Garnett, with whom he would raise his children. Van Beers did not stay in contact with Billy or her children after the divorce.

 

Sources:

Arthur Mitchell & Sydney King’s Orbits: Billy Wilson, MOBBallet 
Family, ALEXIS WILSON
De geschiedenis van Het Nationale Ballet, Het Nationale Ballet
Sonja van Beers, Theater Encyclopedie

 

More about Sonja van Beers

Sonja van Beers was a Dutch prima ballerina for the Dutch National Ballet until 1964. She began with the Nederlands Ballet in 1954, and continued with the company when it merged with the Amsterdam Ballet to form the Dutch National Ballet. Wilson has stated that he “had never seen anyone dance as beautifully as Sonja.”

 

Sources:

Columbus Woman Recounts Growing Up With Interracial Parents, Gay Father, 10 WBNS
A Celebration of the Life of Billy Wilson, dancer, choreographer, director, educator, Facebook

 

 

 

 

    Elaine Yu