New chapters in Amsterdam and London: Q&A with graduates Joseph, Rebecca, and Emile on their next steps
In 2024, 24 graduates of The Royal Ballet School will join leading ballet companies worldwide, fulfilling their long-awaited dreams of becoming professional dancers.
Following their final bows as students on the Royal Opera House stage, our graduates will take a short summer break before embarking on the next stage of their careers.
We asked graduates Joseph, Rebecca and Emile about their next chapters in Amsterdam and London.
Joseph Birtles Clarke
Joseph Birtles Clarke is joining Dutch National Ballet Junior Company.
What are you most looking forward to?
Being part of a junior company, having our own repertoire, touring around the Netherlands, meeting new people, living in a new city, and finding a new way of life.
What do you like the most about the company?
Something I noticed when applying, even before auditioning, is that they care a lot about our happiness. For example, before the auditions, they sent us an email saying to just have fun. It’s not about being perfect; everyone who was invited has something unique. I haven’t seen other companies do that. They care a lot about nurturing the dancers, and the facilities and repertoire are phenomenal.
They do big classical ballets, but they are also very famous for their neoclassical modern works. They work a lot with Hans van Manen, a famous Dutch choreographer.
Who have been some of your biggest mentors during your training?
Throughout my time at the school, each year group teacher has been a significant mentor. Specifically, this year, Stuart Cassidy has been helpful in filming our audition videos and guiding us.
What impact did attending The Royal Ballet School have on your career and your life?
Since I’ve been here since Year 7, it has been a huge part of my life. It has shaped me as a person. If I hadn’t attended this school, my life would look very different. I don’t know if I would be joining the company I am going to without the training I received here. It’s been a journey, to say the least.
Joseph Birtles Clarke. Photographed by Photography by ASH
Rebecca Stewart and Emile Gooding
Rebecca Stewart and Emile Gooding are joining The Royal Ballet Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme.
Can you tell me about the process of how you found out?
Rebecca: Since we’ve come to the School, we’ve been watched during different performance opportunities. Whether it was an evening performance or an assessment, the artistic team from the company would sometimes come in. Our official audition in Pre-professional Year wasn’t until November.
I remember vividly finding out on December 12. I was working with the company in The Nutcracker. Some of us were there, and some were away. I was pulled out of company class, taken down to the company office, and had my meeting. It was just a dream come true, and I had to continue performing in Nutcracker, pretending everything was the same.
Emile: I was home when I found out because I wasn’t performing in Nutcracker. I was surrounded by my family. I got a FaceTime call from Kevin O’Hare, and it all happened very quickly. It was very special.
Rebecca Stewart. Photographed by Photography by ASH
What are you most looking forward to?
Rebecca: This year, we got to know the dancers and interact with them. For the girls, being part of a corps de ballet is exciting. I’m also looking forward to productions like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which is our first production, and Romeo and Juliet, one of my favorite ballets.
Emile: I’m excited to become a professional after being a student for so many years. It’s thrilling to take that jump and be surrounded by the dancers we grew up watching.
What do you love about The Royal Ballet?
Rebecca: What strikes me about The Royal Ballet is how much every individual is valued. They all come together in different productions to create a unified voice, yet you can still see everyone’s strengths. Having been next to it at the Upper School and watching World Ballet Day, I know it’s a special company, and I’m excited to be part of that.
Emile: The Royal Ballet is a very supportive environment, which is great for growth. Being the youngest and growing in such an inspiring environment is beneficial.
Who have been some of your biggest mentors during your training?
Rebecca: Having a different teacher each year has been crucial. Each teacher helped me focus on what I needed at that time. In 1st Year, I had to clean up my technique. In 2nd Year, I grew more as an artist. In the Pre-professional Year, I felt prepared to be a professional. Miss Yanowsky, especially in the Pre-professional Year, has been helpful. She pushed me to do my best and grow a lot this year.
Emile: There are so many mentors because each year we had a new main teacher. This variety has helped in the bigger picture. Mr. Atymtayev was particularly special, as I had him in my first year at White Lodge and again in my first year at Upper School.
Emile Gooding. Photographed by Photography by ASH
If you could pick one aspect of how your time at school has influenced you, what do you think is the most important?
Rebecca: The opportunities we’re given are incredible. We get to experience many different types of repertoires and perform on various stages, like the Summer Performances and the Royal Opera House. These opportunities push us to become artists and showcase our abilities, matching the high standards expected.
Emile: Attending White Lodge for three years nurtured us into upcoming professional dancers. In Upper School, we had more freedom with our choices. The end-of-year shows, and other events were exciting, allowing us to represent the school and meet new people.
The Healthcare team has been a very big part of my journey. I’ve had surgery here, and the support going from White Lodge to Upper School has been amazing. It’s always been there, but I think when you get older, you really learn how to make the most of it.
Read more about our 2024 graduates.
