It was an enormous pleasure to welcome former Royal Ballet PrincipalZenaida Yanowskyas our guest at our June meeting. Explaining briefly the variety of ways her given name could be pronounced, she had concluded it was better to just be Zen. She then went on to discuss her current roles in the Company and the School. In the latter, she is Royal Ballet Coach for the Pre-Professional Programme, preparing them for the transition from School to companies. It is a busy year, working in the corps of both companies, auditioning and preparing for the end of season shows. With Zen, they are able toexperience aspects of the Royal’srepertoire, and she can assess their individual strengths and areas for development. This role is an extension of the Artistic Lead for the Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme in the Company, which she has developed over the last few years. The apprentices are mostly covering roles, often being thrown on in the corps at short notice. Zen works with them on solos, pas de deux, partnering, etc. Zen then spoke about her role as répétiteur to the Principal Artists. Recently, this had involved working with the various Queens of Hearts fromAliceand the couples performing ChristopherWheeldon’sThe Two of Us.In some ways, Zen findsit easier to work on roles which she hasn’t performedherself. She spoke of the hours of homework this involved, studying videos, recording in her own form of notation, before working with the dancers. After speaking about the works that she had coached this season, and some she will be working on next, Zen spoke about some of the highlights of her career. This included how she came to be the Queen of Hearts, which was originally choreographed on Leanne Benjamin, and how she nearly dropped out of The Winter’s Tale,before Chris Wheeldon further developed the role of Hermione. Zen gave us a very entertaining evening, with her husband Sir Simon Keenlyside in the audience.
The Royal Ballet, promotions, etc.
Kevin O’Harehas announced the following promotions.Isabel Lubach, Viola Pantuso, Julia Roscoe, Amelia TownsendandHarris Bellare promoted to Soloist andOlivia Findlay, Ella Newton Severgnini, Hanna Park, Maddison Pritchard, Ginevra Zambon, Denilson AlmeidaandCaspar Lenchare promoted to First Artist. From the 2024/25 Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme,Francesca Lloyd, Katie Robertson, Rebecca Myles Stewart, Ravi Cannonier-Watson, Emile Gooding and Alejandro Muñozbecome Artists. We have sent congratulations to them all. Joining the 2025/26 Young Dancers Programme from the Royal Ballet School areAurora Chinchilla, Lily Sophia Dashwood, Shani Moran- Simmonds, Yuki Nagayasu, Amos Child, Tristan-Ian MassaandJoe Parkinson.
Leaving at the end of the season were First SoloistItziar Mendizabalafter 15 years and SoloistRomany Pajdakafter 21 years. Itziar leaves to take up a teaching position at The Royal Ballet School and Romany to join her husband, Dane Hurst, Artistic Director of Joburg Ballet in South Africa. We have sent presents to both from the Association. SoloistBenjamin Ellaretires as a performer after 16 years in December 2025. First ArtistKatharina Nikelskitakes leave of absence next season to pursue an MBA. The 2024/25 Prix de Lausanne dancer,Airi Kobayashi,left at the end of the season to join Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Birmingham Royal Ballet, promotions, etc.
Carlos Acostahas announced the following promotions.Yu Keriharahas been promoted to Principal;Enrique Bejarano Vidalto First Soloist; andJavier Rojas, Ryan FelixandYuki Sugiurato First Artist.Daria Stanciulescubecomes a Principal Character Artist.Rory Mackay and Jonathan Paynbecome Répétiteurs, whilst remaining as Principal Character Artists.Alisa Garkavenko, Tom HazelbyandAlexandra Manueljoin the Company as Artists after two years with BRB2. We congratulate them all.
Joining the Company as First Soloist isKatherine Ochoafrom Cincinnati Ballet. Before moving to Cincinnati, Kathy had danced with Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Also joining for the 2025/26 season areRafael Bejarano Vidalfrom Washington Ballet;Amber CookandThomas Kujawafrom Elmhurst Ballet School;Tobi Johnsonfrom Kate Simmons Dance;Airi Kobayashifrom The Royal Ballet, where she was Prix de Lausanne dancer;Samantha Paigefrom Tring Park; freelancersOisin MiddletonandGillian Whittall.Joining BRB2 areYasemin Kayabay(Royal Ballet School),Yoli Meurisse(ENB School),John Fontanini(Princess Grace Academy) andMarlo Kempsey-Faggfollowing a year as Elmhurst Apprentice.
Leaving are ArtistsJack EastonandShuailun Wu,who join Staatsballett Berlin (Shuailun as Demi- soloist); ArtistOscar Kempsey-Faggwho joins Bayerisches Staatsballett, Munich; ArtistsCallum Findlay- WhiteandTessa Hoggejoin Oklahoma City Ballet; and First ArtistGus Paynejoins Sarasota Ballet as a First Soloist. Also leaving to pursue other opportunities are Principal Character ArtistYvette Knight;ArtistsRegan HutsellandHamish Scott;and BRB2’sAriana Allen.
Ballet Association Annual Dinner, 10 June 2025
Once again, we had an excellent Annual Dinner at The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel on the 10thJune. The final guest list was:Kevin O’Hare, Carlos Acosta, Iain Mackay, Dame Monica Mason, Robert Parker, Christopher Saunders, Marion Tait, Samantha Raine, Gary Avis, Philip Mosley, Jeanetta Laurence, Kevin Emerton,Melissa Hamilton, Ryoichi Hirano, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Calvin Richardson, Elizabeth McGorian, Luca Acri, Lukas Brændsrød, Isabella Gasparini, SaeMaeda, Mariko Sasaki, Harris Bell, Viola Pantuso, Julia Roscoe, Bethany Bartlett, Olivia Findlay, Sierra Glasheen, Caspar Lench, Isabella Shakerand Dance PhotographerMagda Hoffman.Magda’sphotos are on our website. During the evening, we made presentations to Kevin Emerton, who retired from The Royal Ballet at Christmas; to Sae and Harris who got married at Easter; to Mariko and Lukas who are getting married over the Summer; and to Gary Avis, who has indicated that this season might have seen his last Tybalts and Gremins. We also learnt that Isabella and Kevin are getting married over the summer;we hadn’t known, but Kevin had already received one present!
In thanking us, Gary wrote: “Dear David and all the Ballet Association, I just want to thank you for all the incredible effort and organising that goes into making the annual dinner happen and for the incredibly kind , work and contribution to Tybalt and Gremin and to thank you for being kind enough to show your support and love to an artist who is coming to terms with the passage of time within a company as the clock isticking. I would like to reiterate though, that I’m not retiring or going anywhere yet and as I said lastnight....... who knows, never say never - they could be back!!!!!? All good wishes to all the BA members and thank you Gary x”
The Royal Ballet Open Rehearsal Tuesday 24th June, 12.00-2.00pm, The Clore Studio
Once again, around one hundred members had a wonderful lunchtime watching rehearsals in the Clore Studio. After a welcome by our Patron, Royal Ballet DirectorKevin O’Harewe watched repetiteurSamantha RainerehearseDaichi Ikarashi, Isabella Gasparini, Sae Maeda, Taisuke Nakaoin the pasde quatre from Ashton’s production ofSwan Lake.This was followed by Rehearsal DirectorChristopher Saundersworking withLeticia DiasandNicol Edmondson a pas de deux fromChristopher Wheeldon’sAfter the Rain.Finally, we watched First Artist and choreographerJoshua Junkerwork withMadison Bailey, Chisato Katsura, Taisuke Nakao, Harry Churches, Sumina Sasaki,some of the cast of his new workSpells, with music by Nils Frahm, whichreceived its premiere on the Company’s tour toSeoul. We are extremely grateful to Scheduling and Events CoordinatorRachel Wheatleyfor organising the day and to Kevin for the invitation.
News
We send our congratulations to our PresidentCarlos Acostaon his Honorary Degree from Birmingham University. We also congratulateSir Alex Beard, Chief Executive of The Royal Ballet and Opera onreceiving a knighthood for services to the Arts in the King’s Birthday Honours and to BRB’s Head ofCreative LearningLee Fisheron receiving an MBE for services to dance and the Learning-Disabled community.
It is with great sadness that we learnt that our memberGraham Goldspringpassed away on 20thJune. We had expected him at our Annual Dinner on the 10th, but a couple of days before, he suffered a massive heart attack and fell down the stairs breaking vertebrae. He was not responding to stimuli in intensive care. His sister was playing him music fromThe Nutcrackerwhen life support was withdrawn. His partner Michael Hobday died a few years ago.
Members will be saddened to hear of the death ofRomayne Grigorovaon 11 July at the age of 98. Originally a dancer with the Opera Ballet, later the Royal Opera, she also performed acting roles. She made her debut with The Royal Ballet in 1961 and continued to dance for the Company until 2011, ofen as the Housekeeper inThe Nutcracker.In her seventies she ran a popular dance class for amateurs and was awarded an MBE in 2017.
Our August guestReece Clarkewill be dancing Albrecht with Paris Opera Ballet next season parteringHannah O’Neill.
Royal Ballet Awards
Our Chairman attended the UpperSchool’s finalAssembly on Thursday 10th July to present the 2025 awards. These were awarded toHelle Floodfrom Norway,Antonio Cortesefrom Italy andYusuke Otakefrom Japan. In the Summer Performance at the Opera House, Yosuke danced the Bluebird Solo, Antonio the Cavalier to the Fairy of the Golden Vine andHelle a Lilac Fairy attendant inAurora’s Wedding. Antonio also performed inGridlock.Last year’s awardwinnerTristan-Ian Massajoins the Royal Ballet Young Dancers Programme andYasemin Kayabayjoins BRB2. Our third award winnerHeewon Moonis joining the National Ballet of Canada RBC Apprentice Programme.
Elmhurst Ballet School Ballet Association Award
Our President,Robert Parker,has let us know that the 2025 Ballet Association Elmhurst Ballet School Award has been won byAlicia Wong.Alicia writes: "I am incredibly grateful, and I feel so encouraged to be the recipient of this year’sBallet Association Award as an Elmhurst Ballet School student. I amthrilled to use these funds to extend my career opportunities through summer schools, auditions and competitions over the coming year. Thank you to my teachers at Elmhurst Ballet School and Robert Parker for the incredible experience I have had my first year here in the United Kingdom. It wasan honour to perform for the Ballet Association on their visit to Elmhurst. Performing ballet is what I love with all my heart, and I am so grateful to look forwardto my growing opportunities for my future.”
Margot Fonteyn memorabilia
Our former Chairman Michael Foreman was left a holdall with a collection of books and other items related to Margot Fonteyn. If any member is interested in some or all of these, please email Michael atmianfor@btinternet.com. You would have to collect from Michael, with transport as the holdall is heavy.
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