Promotions, new joiners and departures for the 2026/27 Season

Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin:

“English National Ballet opens up the possibilities of ballet. We build connections with people in towns, cities, studios and schools, across the country and around the world – sharing the power and joy of this beautiful artform. As our current season draws to a close, I’d like to thank each and every one of the artists that make this possible.”

“I’m delighted to recognise the dedication and development of our dancers through promotions within the Company. I look forward to welcoming the exceptional new dancers and renowned guest artists joining us next season as well as offer my thanks and appreciation to those who are leaving, or who have recently left, for all they have contributed to the company.” 

Promotions

The following promotions take effect from the start of the 2026/27 Season.

Julia Conway is promoted to Principal.

Minju Kang and Noam Durand are promoted to First Soloist.

Chloe Keneally, Shunhei Fuchiyama and Jose María Lorca Menchón are promoted to Soloist.

Anna Ciriano, Lucinda Strachan and William Simmons are promoted to First Artist.

Joiners

The following dancers join from the start of the of the 2026/27 Season.

Gustavo Carvalho joins as First Soloist from Deutsche Oper Am Rhein.

Jaime Almaraz Baizán joins as an Artist of the Company from Paris Opera Junior Ballet.

Henry Burgess and Antonio Cortese join as Artists of the Company, having completed their training at The Royal Ballet School.

Haru Yokoo joins as an Artist of the Company having completed the English National Ballet School Graduate Artists Programme. She recently danced the role of Cinderella in English National Ballet’s My First Ballet: Cinderella.

We also look forward to welcoming internationally renowned guest artists and repetiteurs throughout the season.

Associate Guest Artist Ksenia Ovsyanick (former English National Ballet Soloist and Staatsballett Berlin Principal) dances in Rhythm Riot and Romeo & Juliet, Paris Opera Ballet Étoile and two-time Prix Benois de la Danse winner Hugo Marchand in Romeo & Juliet, and Associate Guest Artist Davi Ramos, Principal Artist with The Australian Ballet, in Nutcracker.

Cynthia Harvey returns as Associate Guest Repetiteur, alongside Stefanie Arndt, Yannick Boquin, Manuel Legris, Elisabeth Maurin, Alejandro Parente and Clotilde Vayer as Guest Repetiteurs. 

Departures

As previously announced, the following dancers left the company mid-season: First Soloist Precious Adams joined The Australian Ballet as Senior Artist, Soloist Francesca Velicu joined London City Ballet and First Artist Isabelle Brouwers left to become Artistic Director of Yorkshire Ballet Seminars. 

Also leaving at the end of the season are Soloist Paulo Rodrigues de Oliveira and Artist of the Company Nathaniel Ritter-Magot.

We wish them every success in their future endeavours.