Centenary insight: our present

Shaping change: innovation and evolution in ballet training

About this Event

These full-day events will consider the past, present and future of The Royal Ballet School – our Then, our Now, and our Tomorrow. The three Insight Days will review the evolution of the School over 100 years, and consider the living legacy of our founder, Dame Ninette de Valois. They provide the opportunity for an in depth look at the current thinking and practices of the School, as well as our aims and ambitions for the future.

8 March 2026


🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Coffee and register

🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Welcome and introduction
Host: Artistic Director, Iain Mackay

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Reflections on the ballet class and educating creative dance artists
Host: Dr Susie Crow

Info: Dr Susie Crow, School alumna, teacher-choreographer, and former member of The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, reflects on ‘the Ballet Class’, and the wider education of creative dance artists. She considers how cultural contexts have shaped ballet training in the past, and introduces relevant current debates.

🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Our practice and impact: research, deliver, evolve
Host: Karen Berry, Head of Teacher Training

Info: Karen Berry, Head of Teacher Training, introduces the work of her Teacher Training Department.

🕑: 11:50 AM - 01:00 PM
Teaching demonstration and Q&A: our philosophy in action
Host: Vanessa Donkin, Affiliate Programme Artistic Manager

Info: Every teacher we train shapes the next generation, with every student they teach carrying our legacy forward. This session will include demonstrations of modern pedagogical practices.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
The training cycle in action: voices from our graduates
Host: Sarah Wildor, Diploma of Dance Teaching graduate

Info: Sarah Wildor, Associates and Primary Steps Legacy Artistic Manager, will share her reflections and speak about the impact the School and its teacher training has had on her teaching philosophy and career pathway.

🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Lunch

🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:50 PM
A scientific approach: past and future perspectives
Host: Nick Cleverton, Head of Healthcare & Performance Support

Info: Dr Anna Meadmore will present a historical overview including how the athlete/artist debate played out in de Valois' School over time. Nick Cleverton will discuss future challenges considering tradition and innovation.

🕑: 02:50 AM - 03:45 AM
Innovations in Healthcare
Host: Nick Cleverton, Head of Healthcare & Performance Support

Info: The School's Healthcare Team will discuss how healthcare works together with dance teacher and student training. This session will include a Q&A.

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:25 PM
Panel discussion: past, present and future challenges
Host: Dr Susie Crow, guest speaker

🕑: 04:25 PM - 04:30 PM
Closing remarks and thanks

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