12 minute read
Pre-performance Talks
from Swan Lake
A unique opportunity to hear about what it takes to be performance ready. Hear how we stage our magnificent shows and what life is really like on the road.
A series of special introductory talks with members of the Company, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Introduced by Assistant Répétiteur and Principal Character Artist Jonathan Payn, speakers range from dancers and musicians to members of the vital backstage technical teams.
These events are free to ticket holders and supporters, but you may still need to book your place in advance when you buy your ticket to the show.
To book visit brb.org.uk/Events
Reina Fuchigami First Artist
Born: Fukushima, Japan
Trained: Hitomi Takeuchi Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2012; First Artist, 2016
Repertory: Aladdin (Diamond), Cinderella (Spring), Don Quixote (Kitri’s friend), The Nutcracker (Clara, Rose Fairy), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet’s Friends), The Sleeping Beauty (Fairy of Honour), Swan Lake (Italian Princess), Concerto, Elite Syncopations, Imminent, Interlinked, The Dream, In the Upper Room. Most rewarding role: Each role I dance creates memories that I’ll cherish and each makes me stronger and wiser as a dancer.
Gus Payne First Artist
Born: East Sussex
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2017; First Artist, 2021
Repertory: Aladdin, La Fille mal gardée (Cockerel), The Nutcracker (Harlequin, Chinese and Russian Dances), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), The Sleeping Beauty ( pas de quatre), ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café (Texas Kangaroo Rat),
In the Upper Room, Lazuli Sky, 24, Radio and Juliet.
Awards: Ursula Moreton Choreographic Award, third prize, at The Royal Ballet School.
Dream role: Puck in Ashton’s The Dream.
Daria Stanciulescu
FIRST ARTIST
Born: Romania
Trained: Schools in Bucharest, Monte Carlo and Munich
Joined: 2014; First Artist, 2018
Repertory: Cinderella (Stepmother), Don Quixote (Dulcinea), Romeo and Juliet (Lady Capulet), Carmina burana (Roast Swan), Enigma Variations (Lady Mary), Façade. Other companies: Bavarian National Ballet, Munich (200612), and Ballet Zurich (2012-14).
Favourite full-length ballet: Romeo and Juliet for the love story and drama.
Haoliang Feng First Artist
Born: China
Trained: Beijing Dance Academy and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2017; First Artist, 2021
Awards: Silver, Youth American Grand Prix, 2014; Gold, Vienna International Ballet Competition, 2014; Bronze, Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition, 2019.
Repertory: Aladdin (Gold, Silver), Don Quixote (Espada), The Nutcracker (Prince), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio), The Sleeping Beauty (Cavalier, pas de quatre), Swan Lake (Benno), Chacona, Lazuli Sky.
Rachele Pizzillo First Artist
Born: Palermo, Italy
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2015; First Artist, 2021
Repertory: Don Quixote (Kitri’s friend), Giselle, The Nutcracker (Clara, Spanish Dance, Columbine), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet’s friends), The Sleeping Beauty (Fairy of Modesty), Swan Lake, Chacona, Concerto, Lazuli Sky, ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café.
Dream role: The lead in Romeo and Juliet. I particularly love the music, story and especially her character for the strong emotions you need to be able to express throughout the ballet.
Guest dancers for Swan Lake
Isabelle Clough
Joshua Fickling
Genevieve Heron
Chloe Horton
Tamara Ledermann
Ava May Llewellyn
Andrew McFarlane
Alexander Nuttall
Gillian Whittall
Maidie Widmer
Gabriel Anderson Artist
Born: London
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2016
Repertory: Coppélia (Mazurka, Czárdás, Call to Arms), Don Quixote (Matador), The Nutcracker (King Rat, Spanish Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Paris), Chacona, Concerto, Imminent, Sense of Time, ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café.
Most important role: The creation of Didy Veldman’s Sense of Time was a highlight for me – she was so much fun to work with. What would you be if you weren’t a dancer: A freelance photographer and illustrator or jewellery maker.
Enrique Bejarano Vidal
ARTIST
Born: Guadalajara, Mexico
Trained: National Ballet School of Cuba, Academie Princesse Grace
Joined: 2021
Awards: Gold Medal (Youth American Grand Prix finals in New York 2018); Gold Medal (international competition of Mexico 2011); award at Gala de Danza as Promising Artist, 2018.
Repertory: Don Quixote (Amour), The Nutcracker (Prince, Jackin-the Box, Magician’s Assistant, Russian and Chinese Dances), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio, Mandolin Dance), Interlinked.
JACK EASTON ARTIST/ BRB2
Born: Miami, Florida
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2022
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Russian Dance), and Don Quixote with Birmingham Royal Ballet as a student.
Louis Andreasen Artist
Born: London
Trained: The Royal Ballet School and English National Ballet School, graduate year.
Joined: 2018
Repertory: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Giselle, La Fille mal gardée, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet (Mandolin dance), The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Chacona, 24. First ballet you watched: Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House. It was really special because my mum was playing in the orchestra.
Olivia Chang Clarke Apprentice
Born: London
Trained: Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2022
My most enjoyable experience on stage: When I took part in the BBC Young Dancer Final. I was able to show my choreographic and dancing abilities on television. I will always cherish the experience.
Repertory: Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. I find it very inspiring when a dancer can change character so dramatically. Repertory: The Nutcracker (Mirliton).
Rosanna Ely Artist
Born: Lancaster
Trained: Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2014
Repertory: Don Quixote (Kitri’s friends), The Nutcracker (Spanish Dance), The Prince of the Pagodas, Romeo and Juliet (Harlot), Swan Lake, The Tempest, 5 Tangos, 24, City of a Thousand Trades, Elite Syncopations, Les Rendezvous, Serenade.
Favourite ballet score: Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Dream role: Lead roles in Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake.
Ryan Felix Artist
Born: Stourbridge
Trained: Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2019; Artist 2021
Awards: Bronze Medal, Genée
International Ballet Competition, 2017; Ballet Finalist, BBC Young Dancer, 2017.
Repertory: Cinderella (Prince’s Friends), Don Quixote (Fandango couple), The Nutcracker (Magician’s Assistant, Russian, Chinese and Spanish Dances), Romeo and Juliet (Mandolin Dance lead), Swan Lake (Czárdás, Mazurka).
Created roles: Roles in Will Tuckett’s Lazuli Sky and Daniela Cardim’s Imminent.
CALLUM FINDLAY-WHITE ARTIST
Born: Toronto, Canada
Trained: National Ballet School of Canada and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2018
Repertory: Beauty and the Beast (Hunter), Hobson’s Choice, La Fille mal gardée, The Nutcracker (Winds), Romeo and Juliet (Paris, Benvolio), The Sleeping Beauty, City of a Thousand Trades.
Career if not a dancer: Either an ice hockey player or a professional snowboarder.
Dream role: Romeo in Romeo and Juliet because it’s such a beautiful role.
TORI FORSYTH-HECKEN ARTIST
Born: London
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2018
Repertory: Cinderella (Fairy Godmother), Romeo and Juliet (Rosaline), Chacona, Imminent.
Proudest on-stage moment: Performing in the Grand Défilé i n the end-of-year show at The Royal Ballet School – after eight years of training it’s a memory I will treasure forever.
Favourite full-length ballet: Swan Lake – its emotion and intense passion is beyond comparison.
Miles Gilliver Artist
Born: Gloucester
Trained: Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2013
Repertory: Coppélia (Lead Call to Arms), Don Quixote (Espada, Matador), The Nutcracker (Arabian Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Lead Mandolin Dance), The Sleeping Beauty (Cavaliers), E=mc2 (Energy), In the Upper Room, Flowers of the Forest (Scottish Ballad), Monotones II.
Career if not a dancer: I’d love to be involved in motorsports. Most challenging role: Monotones II – it’s a very revealing piece with minimal sets and just a trio on stage.
Isabella Howard Artist
Born: Sydney, Australia
Trained: with Miss Carmel Nolan at Davidia Lind Dance Centre, Classical Coaching Australia and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2018
Repertory: Don Quixote (Gypsy Couple), The Nutcracker (Snow Fairy), Romeo and Juliet (Rosaline, Harlot).
Favourite full-length ballet: Manon because of the gripping storyline and exquisite music.
Most enjoyable experience on stage: Dancing ‘Red Girls’ in Les Patineurs because it’s such a light-hearted, fun role to play.
FRIEDA KADEN ARTIST/ BRB2
Born: Berlin
Trained: Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin, and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2022
Awards: Nadia Nerina Scholarship (2019), First place in Lynn Seymour Award for Expressive Dance (2020) and Dance Association Award 2021.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Mirliton), The Nutcracker with Berlin State Ballet; The Nutcracker and Giselle with The Royal Ballet and in various galas around the world including Moscow and Mexico.
August Generalli Artist
Born: New Zealand
Trained: Ellison Ballet, New York
Joined: 2018
Other companies: Boston Ballet II (2017-8)
Awards: Youth America Grand Prix awards, including Gold in Boston, 2015.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Spanish Dance) and with Boston Ballet II: The American (Christopher Wheeldon), pas de deux from La Bayadère, Giselle and Don Quixote.
Most challenging role: Don José in Edward Ellison’s Carmen – you live the character and feel his pain, love and loss.
Tessa Hogge Artist
Born: Kentucky, but raised in Florida
Trained: St Lucie Ballet
Joined: 2019
Other companies: Milwaukee Ballet II (2018-19).
Awards: First place solo in Universal Ballet Competition (2016).
Repertory: Serenade (Russian Girl), Le Corsaire (Odalisque) with Milwaukee Ballet.
First ballet you watched: The Sleeping Beauty with my dad. I was so inspired by the show that I remember throwing a small fit.
Regan Hutsell Artist
Born: Houston, Texas
Trained: Feijoo Ballet School, Texas
Joined: 2021
Other companies: The Radio City
Rockettes, Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre, Festival Ballet Providence, Guest Artist with Houston Contemporary Dance Company.
Awards: Dance Open America – Gold Medalist in Classical and Contemporary (2021); American Ballet Competition – Gold Medallist in Classical and Contemporary (2019); YAGP finalist. Favourite full-length ballet: Don Quixote. There is so much energy and passion from the plot, as well as the vivacious score.
MAÏLÈNE KATOCH ARTIST/ BRB2
Born: Paris
Trained: Paris Opera Ballet School
Joined: 2022
Other companies: Paris Opera Ballet (2021/2022 season)
Dream role: I would love to dance Odette/ because I find it interesting to be able to interpret an ethereal and delicate swan and then a mischievous swan.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Mirliton).
Joined: 2022
OSCAR KEMPSEY-FAGG ARTIST/ BRB2
Born: Birmingham
Trained: I began my training with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Dance Track programme and then studied as a Royal Ballet Junior Associate, The Royal Ballet and at Elmhurst Ballet School.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Spanish Dance) Don Quixote with Birmingham Royal Ballet as a student.
Sofia Li Ares Artist
Born: A Coruña, Spain
Trained: Conservatorio de Danza de A Coruña and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2020
Repertory: Don Quixote (Mercedes), The Nutcracker (Clara, Rose Fairy, Spanish Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet’s friends), City of a Thousand Trades, Interlinked, 24, Javier De Frutos’s film The Burning Building.
Favourite one-act ballet: Elite Syncopations is such a joyful and playful piece. I could watch it all day.
Eric Pinto Cata Artist
Born: London
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2021
Awards: Valerie Adams Award (2018), Lynn Seymour Award (2019); Gailene Stock Award (2020) – all Royal Ballet School.
Repertory: Don Quixote (Matador), The Nutcracker (Jack-inthe-box, Russian Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Mandolin Dance), City of a Thousand Trades, Interlinked, Lazuli Sky.
Proudest on-stage moment: Performing Didy Veldman’s Is To Be at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Lausanne.
Matilde Rodrigues Artist
Born: Leiria, Portugal
Trained: International Conservatory
Annarella Sanchez
Awards: Semi-finals Youth American Grand Prix, 2017, and Third Place, 2018.
Joined: 2020
Career if not a dancer: A nutritionist, this is what I would like to pursue after my dancing career.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Mirliton), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet’s friends), City of a Thousand Trades.
Created role: Morgann Runacre-Temple’s Hotel.
MASON KING ARTIST/ BRB2
Born: Ascot, England and grew up in New Zealand
Trained: Chilton Ballet Academy, Scholar and Associate of The New Zealand School of Dance, and The Royal Ballet School.
Joined: 2022
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Rat King, Spanish Dance), Don Quixote with BRB as a student and Romeo and Juliet, Giselle and The Nutcracker with The Royal Ballet as a student.
Hannah Martin Artist
Born: Hove, Sussex
Trained: Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2021; Artist 2022
Awards: Bronze Award at the Royal Academy of Dance, 2021, Fonteyn Award 2021 (previously Genée), 2021. Semi-finalist in the BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, 2020.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Mirliton), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet’s friends), 24
Proudest off-stage achievement: I was on the national team of Great Britain as a rhythmic gymnast and competed for Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Emma Price Artist
Born: Newcastle upon Tyne
Trained: Marian Lane Theatre Dance School, English National Ballet School, Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2019
Repertory: Cinderella (Dumpy, Stepmother), Don Quixote (Mercedes, Gypsy Couple), Romeo and Juliet (Lead Harlot), The Nutcracker (Spanish Dance), The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora’s friends, Lilac Fairy attendants), Swan Lake (Cygnet, Lead Czardas), 24, Chacona, Lazuli Sky, Nine Sinatra Songs (Strangers in the Night).
Javier Rojas Artist
Born: Vedado, Cuba
Trained: National Ballet of Cuba School
Joined: 2021
Other companies: Acosta Danza, Royal Swedish Ballet
Repertory: Don Quixote (Gypsy Couple), The Nutcracker (Spanish Dance), 24, City of a Thousand Trades, Interlinked. With Acosta Danza: A Buenos Aires, Majisimo, Belles Lettres, Twelve, Imponderable, Paysage, soudain, la nuit, Rooster, End of Time and Thousand Years After.
Hamish Scott Artist
Born: Harlow, Essex
Trained: Harlow Ballet Association and Elmhurst Ballet School
Joined: 2017
Awards: Bronze Medal, Genée International Ballet Competition, Sydney 2016; Barbara Geoghegan Award, 2016; Ballet Finalist, BBC Young Dancer, 2015.
Repertory: Don Quixote (Sancho Panza), The Nutcracker (Jackin-the-Box), Romeo and Juliet (Mandolin Dance), The Sleeping Beauty (Puss-in-Boots) Lazuli Sky, 24 and roles in 5 Tangos, Cinderella, Pineapple Poll, Solitaire and The Tempest.
Lennert Steegen Artist
Born: Belgium
Trained: The Royal Ballet School, Antwerp, and The Royal Ballet School, London
Joined: 2018
Repertory: Don Quixote (Matador), The Nutcracker (Arabian Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Paris), Imminent, Radio and Juliet.
Other companies: Several productions with the Royal Ballet of Flanders and in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with The Royal Ballet.
Dream role: Prince Florimund in The Sleeping Beauty.
Lynsey Sutherland Artist
Born: Hull
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2017
Other companies: Polish National Ballet, Repertory: Aladdin, The Nutcracker (Mirliton, Columbine), The Sleeping Beauty, La Fille mal gardée, Romeo and Juliet (Lady Monatgue), 24, Le Baiser de la fée, Concerto, Elite Syncopations, ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café; with Polish National Ballet: Concerto barocco (Balanchine), Artifact Suite (Forsythe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Neumeier), The Rite of Spring (Nijinsky), La Bayadère (Petipa).
Lucy Waine Artist
Born: Cheltenham
Trained: The Royal Ballet School
Awards: Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers
Award, Royal Ballet School 2020
Joined: 2020
Ballet heroine: Darcey Bussell - she defined ballet within her career and was a key developer in the progression of athleticism paired with elegance which can be found in ballet dancers of today.
Repertory: Don Quixote (Queen of the Dryads), The Nutcracker (Snow Fairy), Romeo and Juliet (Rosaline), City of a Thousand Trades.
Eilis Small Artist
Born: Canberra, Australia
Trained: Australian Ballet School
Joined: 2018
Repertory: Cinderella (Stepsister, Stepmother), Don Quixote (Gypsy Couple), Giselle (Wilis), Imminent (lead role), The Nutcracker (Arabian Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Lady Capulet), Swan Lake (Queen Mother), Lazuli Sky, Nine Sinatra Songs ( All the Way), Peter and the Wolf, 24
Proudest onstage moment: Performing the lead role in Daniela Cardim’s Imminent. It was a privilege to be a part of the creation process.
Yuki Sugiura Artist
Born: Hyogo, Japan
Trained: Seiko Kuramoto Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School
Joined: 2018
Awards: Silver Medal (Youth America Grand Prix, New York, 2014); First place (Kobe Dance Competition, Japan, 2012).
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Mirliton), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet’s Friends), Swan Lake (Swan Maiden) and Chacona
Inspirational book: Former Principal dancer Miyako Yoshida’s book – it taught me what it is to be a ballerina.
Amelia Thompson Artist
Born: Worcester
Trained: Elmhurst Ballet School, The Royal Ballet School Senior Associates
Joined: 2021
Proudest experience on stage: Definitely performing the role of Snow Fairy in The Nutcracker with Birmingham Royal Ballet at The Rep in 2020. The elation and joy that I felt whilst being on stage and portraying such a powerful role was unmatched by anything that I had ever done before!
Shuailun Wu Artist
Born: China
Trained: Beijing Dance Academy and The Royal Ballet School.
Joined: 2020
Awards: 2019 Prix de Lausanne prize winner, Silver at the 2018 Beijing International Ballet Invitational for Dance School, Bronze at the 2018 Global Dance Challenge.
Repertory: The Nutcracker (Russian Dance), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio, Mandolin Dance), City of a Thousand Trades, Javier De Frutos’s film The Burning Building.
Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to announce the launch BRB2.
BRB2 puts a spotlight on the Company’s rising stars and seeks out some of the best young ballet graduates from around the world, to join this two-year performance programme that provides vital employment for the next generation of exceptional ballet dancers, helping them transition from training into jobs impacting the dance sector worldwide.
The dancers will train and perform with the whole company in major productions, and they will develop their own touring programme, mentored by BRB2’s Artistic Co-ordinator, First Soloist Kit Holder, and supported by BRB’s ballet staff.
The founder members of BRB2 (pictured above) will this year be joined by seven exceptional dancers from the Company for their moment in the spotlight.
BRB2 is generously supported by David and Mary Laing, The Kirby Laing Foundation and The Linbury Trust.
Carlos Acosta’s Classical Selection BRB2’s inaugural tour
Sparkling classical highlights from Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody, Carlos’s own temperature-raising Carmen, Bournonville’s delightful La Sylphide, the explosive Diana and Actaeon pas de deux, and Carlos’s own new interpretation of Fokine’s The Dying Swan, are just some of the highlights of this inaugural BRB2 tour. The performances also include live and recorded music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
Northampton Royal and Derngate 25 April
Nottingham Theatre Royal 28 & 29 April
New Theatre Peterborough 3 & 4 May
The Linbury Theatre, London 13 & 14 June
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 24 June
Book now: brb.org.uk/ClassicalSelection
