Graduation 2026
On Saturday 18 July, following their final performance at The Royal Opera House as students of The Royal Ballet School, our Pre-professional students and 100th cohort of graduates met their loved ones outside the stage door before heading into the Linden Studio Theatre for their graduation ceremony. Surrounded by family, friends and teachers, the students celebrated their remarkable achievements and the culmination of their training at the School.
The ceremony
Artistic Director Iain Mackay opened the ceremony with a heartfelt message for the Class of 2026. He shared the positive impact this group of young dancers have had on him, fellow students and the School as a whole.
He spoke not only of their talent and the many things he knows they will go onto achieve, but the courageous, compassionate and kind people that they are. He urged them to never forget that their greatest strength is not their technique, but their character
You were the first group I ever walked into a class to see and I walked out smiling, thinking they can’t be 2nd Years, they must be the Pre-pros already. But it’s not just about your incredible talent on stage, it’s also because of who you are as individuals. The characters and the personalities, the quiet strengths and the blazing confidence, the resilience and vulnerabilities, all these qualities that I’ve seen in each of you at various stages and at varying degrees across the last two years. As a year group, you’ve challenged assumptions and you’ve encouraged reflections. I believe you have made me a better Artistic Director for that, and I believe you have made the School better for that. Ultimately, you’ve helped shape the School for generations to come. Students may not know who you are, but using your voice in the courageous way you have, they will reap the benefits.
In 10 years’ time, if someone tells me you’re a principal dancer, I will not be surprised, and I’ll be incredibly proud. But if someone tells me that you’re a wonderful colleague, that you are the hardest worker the company has ever seen, that you are a kind friend, that you have moved into being a leader in AI or an aspiring teacher, or simply a good human being, I will be even prouder.
He shared the realities of the world they are now stepping into and reminded them to work hard, take risks and make a difference.
Congratulations to each and every one of you. Follow your dreams and work harder than you think is possible. That will take you to where those dreams need to go. And wherever this profession takes you, never forget that this will always be your school, and you will always be part of this story.
Following this warm welcome, Chair Natasha Kaplinsky applauded the graduating class for their contributions to the School and wished them every success that they deserve.
Senior Teacher Upper School and Head of Degree Programme, Andy Granville, then read the citations for two Honorary Doctorate nominations for Dame Monica Mason and Dame Darcey Bussell, before Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, Vice Chancellor and President of University of Roehampton, presented the honours to these two extraordinary individuals (pictured below).
Dame Monica Mason, you have devoted a lifetime to ballet as a dancer, teacher, and leader. Through your distinguished career, including Director of The Royal Ballet, you have helped shape the art form and generations of dancers. Dame Darcey Bussell, you have inspired audiences around the world through your artistry and done as much to bring ballet to wider audiences. As a former student of The Royal Ballet School, you remain a powerful example to the young dancers graduating today. The University of Roehampton is honoured to recognise your outstanding contribution to dance. Dame Monica Mason, Dame Darcey Bussell, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the University of Roehampton, I confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.
This year’s keynote speech was delivered by alum and newly appointed Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet, Ernst Meisner.
Ernst began by congratulating the graduates on their incredible performance at the Royal Opera House. He echoed those before him on the significance for this cohort to be graduating in the School’s centenary. Like Mr Mckay, he reiterated the importance of continuing the legacy of becoming not only extraordinary artists, but extraordinary human beings.
How wonderful to think that you step into a future built on one hundred years of creativity, generosity, and shared learning across the world. And how exciting to know that you now have the opportunity to become pioneers of the next century.
As they embark on their careers across all corners of the world, Ernst left our graduates with one final plea to make every moment and every step count.
Wherever your next steps take you, and wherever you continue the reach of The Royal Ballet School alumni around the world, make those steps count. Make them bold, make them generous, and make them curious. And above all, make them urgent, because what you do matters. The way you dance matters. The way you work with others matters. And the way you lead, create, and care for those around you matters. I have enormous hope for the future because it is in your hands. And as you begin your careers, remember that you’re not only joining a profession, you are helping to shape its future. You are starting the next one hundred years. And wherever in the world ballet takes you, never forget that every great movement begins with that single step through which we will all remain connected. Dance the next possibilities and help to understand each other just a little bit better.
Ernst then presented the students with their diplomas and various academic and artistic prizes, alongside Academic and Pastoral Principal David Gajadharsingh and Artistic Manager Jessica Clarke.
Awards
Thanks to generous sponsors, the following awards were presented:
The Captain and Mrs John Moore Awards
Three awards for excellence in the preparation, presentation and delivery of the final dissertation in the degree course, Classical Ballet and Dance Performance. Kindly supported in memoriam of Captain and Mrs John Moore.
Contextual dance studies: Layla Hotham
Dissertation: How can classical ballet be reclaimed and re-signified in order to have the capacity to share feminist ideas?
Science related to dance: Denis Teixeira
Dissertation: How dance influences cognitive and physical functioning, a multidimensional analysis.
Wider focus study: Sophie Schulten
Dissertation: Does the fashion trend ballet core misrepresent the realities of the ballet industry?
The Ashton Award
This prestigious award is presented to a graduate who embodies the style, personality, and technique of Ashton choreography. Kindly supported in memoriam of Robert Kimber.
Awarded to: Ivan Malaguti and Nanoha Shigeoka
The David Norman Award
Sponsored by Geoffrey R W Smith, this award honours a graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and good citizenship during their time at the School.
Awarded to: Layla Hotham
The Dame Monica Mason Award
Awarded to the male and female graduates who have the most progress in classical ballet training during their time at the School.
Awarded to: Addison Partlow and Denis Teixeira
The London Ballet Circle Dame Ninette Awards
Presented to the most outstanding male and female students graduating in 2025.
Awarded to: Millán de Benito and Alecsia Maria Lazarescu
Graduating students Flynn Hallworth and Addison Partlow closed the celebration with an articulate reflection on their experiences at the School and expressed gratitude to their peers, teachers, accompanists, healthcare team, house parents and families for their unwavering support.
What has made this experience so special is that it was never just about dance or ballet. It was about being part of something much bigger than ourselves. It was about being a part of a family who shared every high and every low, who celebrated every success and carried one another through every challenge.
None of us would be here today without the love, encouragement, and support that we gave each other along the way. We didn’t achieve this alone. So, thank you, every single one of you, for all of the laughter, for all of the tears, and every moment in between. These past years have given all of us memories and friendships that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
This family will be dispersing across 17 different companies, spanning 12 countries. We will all move away from this place that we have called home for so many years. We will start again. We will make new friends. A new family. A new home. But we will never make friends that we learned how to do French rolls with. Friends that helped us pack our entire lives into one suitcase and red locks. Friends that we grew up with. Friends we changed with. Friends that share this unique moment. You will make new friends. But you will never make old friends. Not like these. So, here’s to camaraderie, inspiration, and an unending wealth of gratitude for the past that has shaped us, the future that awaits us, and to the old friends that we never realised that we were making.
2026 graduate contracts
As previously shared, we are immensely proud to say that all 30 graduating students have secured professional contracts with 17 prestigious companies worldwide, including six with The Royal Ballet and five with Birmingham Royal Ballet.
View the full list of contracts here.
This graduating year stands within a century of artists shaped by the School. Congratulations to them all, and we wish them every possible success as they go on to help shape the future of our art form. We can’t wait to see what they’ll do next.
Thank you
Our students could not achieve so highly without the ongoing support of their families and guardians. Thank you to them all for their help and encouragement over the years.
Thank you to the Royal Ballet School staff for their dedication, skill and care in guiding our students to reach their potential, particularly the Academic, Pastoral and Healthcare teams.
A particular thanks to the Artistic staff, who have nurtured the students’ unique gifts and creative instincts, allowing them to flourish as artists.
Thank you to today’s prizegivers, speakers and special guests.
Finally, thank you to our supporters, notably the Student Sponsors of this graduating cohort. Your constant devotion and generosity make this possible, and we are so very grateful.
Browse photos from the graduation ceremony below.
Bridget Clark is the Marketing and Communications Manager at The Royal Ballet School and joined the School in 2024. She enjoys sharing the untold stories of the School and its students, and updating the wider arts community with news, events and announcements.
