News Story
In celebration of The Royal Ballet School's centenary, we're shining a spotlight on Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers who trained at the School.
The Royal Ballet School was founded in 1926 by BRB and The Royal Ballet's founder, Dame Ninette de Valois, and has since nurtured generations of exceptional artists. It is one of our associated schools, alongside Elmhurst School for Dance.
Scroll through the gallery to see some of BRB's many Royal Ballet School alumni.
Image gallery
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Kevin O'Hare, former BRB Principal and current Director of The Royal Ballet, as Franz with Sabrina Lenzi as Swanilda in Coppélia.
© 1999 Credit : Bill Cooper
Iain Mackay, former BRB Principal and current Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, as Albrecht with Jenna Roberts, also a former BRB Principal, as the title role in Giselle.
© 2013 Credit : Bill Cooper
David Bintley, former BRB Principal and Director.
© 2013 Credit : Richard Battye
William Bracewell, former BRB Soloist and current Principal of The Royal Ballet, in Lyric Pieces.
© 2015 Credit : Bill Cooper
Marion Tait, former BRB Principal and Assistant Director as Two of Diamonds, with Michael O'Hare, former BRB Principal and Ballet Master, as the Joker in Card Game.
© 1992 Credit : Leslie E. Spatt
Brandon Lawrence, former BRB Principal, as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake.
© 2023 Credit : Bill Cooper
Samara Downs, former BRB Principal and current Répétiteur, as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Tyrone Singleton, also a former BRB Principal, as the Prince in The Nutcracker.
© 2020 Credit : Johan Persson
Tom Rogers, former BRB First Soloist, with Samara Downs in Nine Sinatra Songs.
© 2019 Credit : Bill Cooper
Kit Holder, former BRB First Soloist and current Artistic Coordinator, coaching BRB2 dancers.
© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge
Lachlan Monaghan, Principal, as the Prince and Yu Kurihara, Principal, as the title role in Cinderella.
© 2025 Credit : Katja Ogrin
Momoko Hirata, BRB Principal, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, with Mathias Dingman as the Prince in The Nutcracker.
© 2023 Credit : Johan Persson
Lucy Waine, BRB First Artist, as Dulcinea in Don Quixote.
© 2026 Credit : Tristram Kenton
Sofia Liñares, BRB Soloist, as Clara in The Nutcracker.
© 2024 Credit : Johan Persson
Reina Fuchigami, BRB Soloist, in Birthday Offering.
© 2026 Credit : Johan Persson
Yaoqian Shang, BRB Principal, as Odette in Swan Lake.
© 2023 Credit : Bill Cooper
Mason King, former BRB2 Artist and current Artist, in Diana & Actaeon pas de deux.
© 2024 Credit : Johan Persson
Ariana Allen, former BRB2 Artist and current Marketing and Communications Coordinator, with Jack Easton, former BRB2 Artist and Artist, current Artist with Staatsballett Berlin, in Le Spectre de la rose.
© 2025 Credit : Tristram Kenton
Alexandra Manuel, former BRB2 Artist and current Artist, as the tile role in The Firebird pas de deux.
© 2025 Credit : Tristram Kenton“Spending eight years growing, learning and developing at The Royal Ballet School, it gave me some of the best years of my youth. My education has been monumental to the dancer I am today and I think without my time there, I would not be dancing professionally today. I have many, many happy memories of my time there and I'm very grateful for everything it has given me.”
Lucy Waine, First Artist
“Joining The Royal Ballet School at the age of 16 was a real eye-opening experience for me. The experiences I gained there and the wonderful people I met have remained a treasured part of my life ever since.”
Momoko Hirata, Principal
“Being offered a scholarship to study at The Royal Ballet School was truly a life-changing opportunity. Looking back, it shaped not only my career, but the person I am today. The School gave me the highest standard of training and the privilege of learning from exceptional teachers, whose guidance helped me achieve my dream of becoming a professional dancer. Beyond technique, it taught me discipline, resilience, artistry, and a love for excellence that I carry with me every day. Just as importantly, it gave me friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Some of the people I met during my time at the School are still among my closest friends today, and I will always be grateful for the memories and support we have shared. Being part of The Royal Ballet School alumni will always be one of the greatest honours of my life. As the School celebrates its centenary, I feel incredibly proud and thankful to have been part of its remarkable legacy. Here’s to the next 100 years of inspiring, nurturing, and transforming the lives of future generations of dancers.”
Yaoqian Shang, Principal
“My experience at The Royal Ballet School was invaluable and incredibly inspiring. I’ll always cherish the opportunities I had to dance and memories of the people I’ve met during that time. The school gave me a chance to learn, grow and develop my skills as an artist. I’m very grateful for what the school has provided for me and all the guidance and support from the teachers and staff.”
Reina Fuchigami, Soloist
We're delighted to be joining with dancers from The Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet school in celebration of the School’s centenary in performances of The Royal Ballet School: A Centenary Celebration at the Royal Opera House in London. Click here to find out more and book your tickets.
