Alumni return to White Lodge for celebration
On Friday 17 June a special event was held at White Lodge for alumni of The Royal Ballet School. We were delighted to welcome back 165 of our former students, all of whom attended the School before 1980. The event was hosted by our Chairman, Christopher Rodrigues CBE.
Celebrating our alumni
The event was a celebration of students, past and present, and an opportunity for them to reflect on their time at the School, reconnect with friends and share memories. The School is so proud of its alumni, representing our shared history and legacy of exceptional students, who have all gone on to achieve such great things both within and beyond the world of classical ballet. We are dedicated to continuing to build and strengthen our alumni community as we approach our Centenary in 2026, and have recently launched an alumni newsletter.
Performances from our students
Our Chairman gave an address to open the event and welcomed our guests back to the School. Alumni were then treated to performances from current students, presented by Artistic Director Christopher Powney. Year 8 students performed the Farandole from Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty, and Year 10 students danced the Czardas from Coppélia. Pre-professional Year student Martin Diaz danced a solo from Raymonda, and Upper School 2nd Year students performed the pas de douze from Swan Lake. The programme also featured two of our 2nd Year students’ own choreographic pieces from this year’s Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer Performance, Guillem Cabrera Espinach and Vitor Vaz.
Following the student performance, our Head of Special Collections Anna Meadmore and some of our students gave a presentation on the School’s archives. Our Chairman then gave a presentation on our 2026 Centenary.
Talks and tea
After the performance, alumni gathered on the lawn and iconic steps of White Lodge and in the Salon to catch up with each other and with Royal Ballet School staff, and enjoy an afternoon tea. A group photograph was taken of all attendees on the steps to mark this memorable occasion.
One of our former students said that they had ‘a splendid day’, while another said:
Thanks to all who made this event so memorable and precious – you facilitated us all and allowed us to connect, not only with each other but also to the incredible shared experience of attending the Royal Ballet School. Returning to White Lodge after 51 years was joyous and moving.
Thank you to all who came and made the day so special. Browse photographs of our alumni celebration below:
