Milwaukee Ballet principal dancer charged with domestic abuse

One of the longest tenured dancers in the Milwaukee Ballet appeared in court Wednesday on charges of domestic abuse, online court records show.

Davit Hovhannisyan, a leading artist in the Milwaukee Ballet and a member of the company since 2004, was charged with battery and disorderly conduct after an alleged incident in Milwaukee on the night of Nov. 18. The charges are both misdemeanors.

According to a criminal complaint, Hovhannisyan and his ex-wife, who is also the mother of their four children, got into an argument at her home that escalated into a physical altercation.

The complaint says Hovhannisyan, 37, began to whip the woman's face with a bath rug and then slapped her with an open fist, saying, "Don't make me do this."

In court Wednesday, Hovhannisyan's lawyer suggested his client is being falsely accused and that there's no evidence to support the charges, according to a report from Fox 6. 

Hovhannisyan is from Armenia and began dancing at the age of 6. He joined the Milwaukee Ballet in 2004, according to his biography. He's danced principal roles in many of the ballet's performances by Artistic Director Michael Pink, including "Dracula," which wrapped up last month.

Hovhannisyan in Dracula:Milwaukee Ballet's riveting 'Dracula' good to the last bite

Hovhannisyan has been rehearsing for the lead role of Cavalier in the annual run of "The Nutcracker," which opens Dec. 8, sources said.

A spokesperson for the Milwaukee Ballet said Thursday that the organization is aware of Hovhannisyan's situation. As a matter of policy, she said, the ballet does not comment on personnel issues.

Erin Richards can be reached at (414) 224-2705 or erin.richards@jrn.com or @emrichards on Twitter.

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