The Royal Ballet School has announced that Kevin Emerton, dancer of The Royal Ballet and alumnus of the School, will join the Upper School in January 2025, as Pre-professional Year Ballet Teacher.
This appointment marks a significant addition to the School’s artistic faculty as Emerton transitions from an outstanding 17-year performance career with The Royal Ballet to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of dancers.
Emerton trained at Elmhurst Ballet School before joining The Royal Ballet School’s Upper School. In 2007, Emerton graduated into The Royal Ballet and was promoted to First Artist in 2014.
Emerton brings a wealth of expertise to The Royal Ballet School as an artist and dance teacher. In 2022, he completed The Royal Ballet School’s two-year Diploma of Dance Teaching course. He has since taught as a Guest Teacher with The Royal Ballet School and Company and other international institutions, balancing this with his performance career.
His understanding of the demands of classical ballet at the highest level, combined with his first-hand experience of The Royal Ballet’s repertoire, and The Royal Ballet School’s holistic training ethos, make him uniquely equipped to mentor students at the final stages of their training to success.
Iain Mackay, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, said, “We are delighted to welcome Kevin back to The Royal Ballet School. Kevin brings valuable experience of The Royal Ballet’s repertoire and the distinctive English style. His connection with the School, both as a student and graduate of our Diploma of Dance Teaching course, makes him the ideal mentor for our Pre-professional Year students. I know that Kevin’s skill and passion for teaching will inspire and guide them as they prepare to take their first professional steps.”
Emerton said of his appointment, “I am thrilled to be returning to The Royal Ballet School as a teacher. I am truly looking forward to guiding, nurturing and collaborating with the next generation of young dancers.”
This announcement follows the news that Stuart Cassidy will leave the School in January to return to The Royal Ballet as Répétiteur to the Principal Artists.
While with The Royal Ballet, Emerton has performed in a diverse array of the company’s heritage, classical and contemporary repertoire. He has also created roles in new productions for The Royal Ballet with renowned choreographers, including Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Crystal Pite and Liam Scarlett as well as performing many revivals of works by Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan and George Balanchine.
