100 stories: Choreography at the School
As part of our centenary year, we are featuring 100 stories that make up The Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future. Today, we share the important part that choreography plays in the School’s story.
‘Somebody must always be doing something new, or life would get very dull.’ – Dame Ninette de Valois
The evolution of the choreographic programme at The Royal Ballet School is rooted in the founding vision of Dame Ninette de Valois. In March 1926, at just 27 years old she established the Academy of Choreographic Art in London. Her vision: a national ballet school like those in Europe and Russia, to nurture classical dancers, but also future choreographers and creative leaders for an English repertory ballet company. From the beginning, students would be immersed not only in ballet but dance composition, theatre design, and the broader arts.
As the School evolved, so too did its commitment to choreography. Between the 1960s and 1980s, its choreographic heritage deepened under influential teachers such as Leonide Massine, Richard Glasstone, and Kate Flatt, and creative dance composition became embedded in training. During the 1990s, Norman Morrice and David Drew were responsible for guiding interested and talented students and together they nurtured choreographic talent at the School.
In 2016, the School restructured its choreographic activity into what is now the Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme. The former competition model was replaced with three distinct annual choreographic events tailored to different year groups, with a mentoring programme and feedback from experts in the field to improve the well-being and empowerment of participating students.
The School’s choreographic programme upholds de Valois’ mission to develop not only exceptional dancers, but creative artists who will shape the future of the art form. It offers students a unique opportunity to explore their artistic voice, take creative risks and contribute boldly to the evolution of dance, alongside their training.
‘You cannot create genius. All you can do is nurture it.’ – Dame Ninette de Valois
From their earliest years at the School, students are encouraged to experiment with movement and composition. Through workshops, mentoring from renowned choreographers and dedicated studio time, they learn how to craft original work and articulate ideas through the language of dance. At three performance events throughout the academic year, students present newly created works to peers, faculty and leading figures from the dance world. For many, this is a defining moment, an opportunity to step forward not as dancers interpreting steps, but as authors of new artistic experiences.
These opportunities are transformative. Students gain confidence, independence and a deeper understanding of the creative process. They learn how to guide their peers, communicate intention, manage rehearsal time and refine artistic decisions. Many graduates go on to choreograph professionally, drawing on skills first nurtured at the School.
The Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme nurtures the next generation of creative leaders, helping them develop imagination and individuality, and contribute fresh artistic perspectives to the global dance community. The innovations born in the School’s studios today become the ballets audiences will admire tomorrow.
Hear about the impact of the programme from our esteemed alum Cathy Marston and Kevin O’Hare and two of our current students.
