100 stories: Dr Susie Cooper 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 story of Dr Susie Cooper, former Choreography Tutor at the School and former dancer with Ballet Rambert and Scottish Ballet. Susie joined White Lodge in Year 7 and trained at The Royal Ballet […]
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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
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Guest choreographer Dr Adesola Akinleye on reclaiming ballet in her work ‘Sycorax’s Tempest’ for our Centenary Insight Days Content warning: story includes references to slavery, racism and misogyny. Readers may find themes in this interview sensitive or upsetting, but we feel it is important to share this commentary. How can ballet be a force for healing and change? Guest
100 stories: Davi Ramos 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 story of alum, Davi Ramos, Senior Artist with Australian Ballet. Davi Ramos was born in the Vidigal favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He discovered his passion for ballet at age
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100 stories: Rex Wheeler 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 story of alum, dancer, choreographer and drag queen Rex Wheeler/Lady Camden. Rex attended White Lodge before graduating from Elmhurst Ballet School. He danced professionally with Slovak National Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and Smuin Contemporary Ballet, where he now choreographs. Rex discovered drag while living in San Francisco and fell
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100 stories: Iain Mackay 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 story of The Royal Ballet School’s Artistic Director, Iain Mackay, alum and former Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Whilst attending local ballet classes in
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Chair’s Circle 2026 opens a landmark year of centenary performances On Wednesday 21 January, our Chair, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, welcomed a group of our most dedicated supporters to our centenary edition of the annual Chair’s Circle event. This performance is the first of our 2026 season and kicks off our year-long celebrations. Our valued Chair’s Circle supporters enable the School to nurture and train exceptionally gifted young dancers and are vital in securing
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100 stories: Baroness Deborah Bull CBE 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 story of alum and former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Baroness Deborah Bull CBE. Deborah trained at the School from Year 7 and, upon graduating, joined
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100 stories: Rishan Benjamin 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 story of alum and Scottish Ballet First Artist, Rishan Benjamin. Rishan started dancing with the Chance to Dance programme run by the Royal Opera House. She joined the School as a Junior Associate and trained with us through Senior Associates. She
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100 stories: Thomas Forster MBE 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 story of alum, Thomas Forster MBE. Thomas is a Principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. He joined The Royal Ballet School first as a Junior Associate then as an Upper School student in 2002. He graduated into
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