A devoted dancer, Mr. Barnes attended the Baltimore School for the Arts prior to his acceptance to the School of American Ballet, where he received the Rudolf Nureyev & the Estelle Dennis scholarships. Additionally, Mr. Barnes studied at the Kirov Ballet Academy, Chautauqua Institute, Pacific Northwest Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. Beginning as an apprentice and corps de ballet member of the New York City Ballet, Mr. Barnes also danced with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and worked with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.