100 stories: Yaoqian Shang 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, Yaoqian Shang, Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Born in China, Yaoqian trained with Beijing Dance Academy from the age of 9. Whilst competing at the Youth America […]
100 stories: Yaoqian Shang Read More »
‘A festivity of knowledge:’ Centenary Insight Days recap Over three Sundays in March, we invited the public to dive into The Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future at our Centenary Insight Day series. Conceived and curated by Manager of Special Collections Dr Anna Meadmore, each day focused on one period in the School’s history, with special guest speakers, unique performances and
‘A festivity of knowledge:’ Centenary Insight Days recap Read More »
Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer 2026 When Dame Ninette de Valois founded her Academy of Choreographic Art in 1926, she planted the seeds for the world’s leading choreographers to thrive over the next century and beyond. Her dream is truly alive and well, as demonstrated by this year’s edition of the Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer, one of three performances in the Ninette
Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer 2026 Read More »
Introducing The Royal Ballet School x Freed of London centenary dancewear collection We are thrilled to announce that The Royal Ballet School has partnered with Freed of London to release a limited-edition dancewear collection that blends heritage craftsmanship with timeless ballet elegance. Marking 100 years of excellence, the collection has been designed in close collaboration with the School and created exclusively for this milestone, reflecting
Introducing The Royal Ballet School x Freed of London centenary dancewear collection Read More »
Three longtime supporters of the School share why they choose to leave a lasting legacy for our students As Free Wills Month comes to a close, we want to acknowledge a few of our valued supporters who have played an integral part in helping the School thrive for the past century and beyond. The School has partnered with later life planners MyIntent to offer our community the opportunity to write their wills for free. These generous gifts create a lasting legacy – ensuring the School continues to inspire, nurture and
Solos Evening 2026 Last Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March, students from 1st, 2nd and Pre-professional Years performed a range of solo variations from the classical repertoire in the Linden Theatre at Upper School for our donors, staff and parents. The students had been studying these solos for their school assessments and were thrilled to have another performance opportunity this term ahead of our Summer Performances.
Solos Evening 2026 Read More »
Introducing Strength and Grace: Portraits of The Royal Ballet School We are thrilled to announce the release of a landmark coffee-table book, Strength and Grace: Portraits of The Royal Ballet School, featuring portraits of more than 60 of the School’s influential alumni, photographed by Rick Guest and Olivia Pomp, and interviewed by Sarah Crompton. Produced to
Introducing Strength and Grace: Portraits of The Royal Ballet School Read More »
Students perform in Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey On Monday 9 March, Pre-professional Year students Wendel, Elliott and Cian-You were invited to perform at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society. Commonwealth Day celebrates the shared values and cooperation of the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries, home to 2.7 billion
Students perform in Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey Read More »
2nd Year students Harry and Maria on reuniting with choreographer Jessica Lang for our 2026 Summer Performances When Artistic Director Iain Mackay announced the 2026 Summer Performance programme early in the autumn term, 2nd Year students Harry and Maria were thrilled to learn that they would continue working with acclaimed international choreographer Jessica Lang. Jessica worked with the pair and their classmates last year, when she created Sweet Morning Blooms for our 2025 Summer
Choreographer Jessica Lang returns with a new work inspired by Dame Ninette de Valois’ poems for the School’s 2026 Summer Performances Choreographer Jessica Lang returns to the School for the second consecutive year to create a new work for the centenary edition of our annual Summer Performances. It’s so exciting to be a part of the centenary celebration. I’m super honoured as an American to be contributing to this programme to honour the School’s legacy. Jessica is working with
