Carlos acosta to become director of birmingham royal ballet

Carlos Acosta CBE announced as new Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet

Former Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Carlos Acosta CBE has today been appointed as new Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet. He will take up the position in January 2020.

The news comes after the Company’s current Director David Bintley CBE announced earlier last year that he would be retiring in July 2019.

Since retiring from the Royal Ballet, Acosta has founded a Cuban dance company, Acosta Danza, and established his own dance academy in Havana which opened its doors to its first students in September 2017.

Carlos Acosta CBE, said: ‘It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been appointed to lead Birmingham Royal Ballet. I am a great admirer of its heritage and of what David Bintley has done to establish it as one of the country’s leading classical ballet companies, following on from the wonderful foundations laid down by Sir Peter Wright. My ambition is to build on its classical traditions, to expand its repertoire and to reach out to new and more diverse audiences. I want to define what it is to be a world leading classical ballet company in the 21st century.’ 

Christopher Powney, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, said: ‘This is exciting news for the Company and the School. Carlos will bring energy and a wealth of expertise to this important role. I have no doubt he will excel as Director, inspiring new generations of students, dancers and audiences.’

The Royal Ballet School is the official school of Birmingham Royal Ballet.