One of the UK's major ballet companies, Northern Ballet, will welcome 10 new dancers this summer, including finalists from this year’s BBC Young Dancer competition. The winner of the ballet section of the 2015 BBC Young Dancer competition, Archie Sullivan, who was mentored by Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE during the competition, will join the Company’s first year corps from English National Ballet School.
Archie is joined by fellow finalists Jenny Hackwell (KS Dance) who also joins the first year corps, and Paris Fitzpatrick (Tring Park School) who joins as an Apprentice. Kaylee Marko (English National Ballet School), who performed as Archie’s pas de deux partner in the live BBC Young Dancer final in May, also joins the first year corps, a huge opportunity for the group of dancers.
In addition, Northern Ballet will welcome Natalia Kerner (Académie Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo) and Alexander Yap (The Royal Ballet School) to its first year corps along with Diogo Barbosa (English National Ballet School), Genevieve Heron (Elmhurst School for Dance) and Grace Robinson (The Royal Ballet School) who join as Apprentices. For the second year the Company will also benefit from the Academy of Northern Ballet’s pioneering Graduate Professional Programme with graduating student Harriet Marden joining Northern Ballet as an Apprentice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM-n7L6w5eo
The Leeds-based company has also announced promotions for existing members of the Company, and has said goodbye to nine of its dancers this year. Principal Character Artist Darren Goldsmith retired in December after more than 20 years with the Company and Premier Dancer Kenneth Tindall gave his final performance for the Company in May to pursue a career as a Freelance Choreographer. After five years with Northern Ballet, Matthew Broadbent is leaving to join Scottish Ballet, whilst Isadora Valero Meza moves on to the National Ballet of Portugal.