Welcoming the 2025/26 Beyond Ballet® Cohort

National Youth Ballet is thrilled to announce the 2025/26 Beyond Ballet® cohort – a talented group of early-career artists exploring choreography, lighting design, costume, production, stage management, and leadership roles. As part of this collaborative programme, we’ll support and empower each young artist to grow their skills, ignite their creativity, and explore new ideas.

Beyond Ballet is a programme that champions emerging talent from different areas of dance and theatre, where participants work with experienced mentors to develop ideas that lead to performances and creative projects.

The 2025/26 programme will support choreographers Eli Forest Bryan, Jess Yeo, Honor Dixon and Anna Smith, rehearsal director Gabrielle de Souza and dance leader and facilitator Grace Thompson. They will be joined by Harry Hincks (Assistant Lighting Designer), Megan Tubbs and Mattia Mollica (Assistant Costume Supervisors) and Kiara Atkinson (Assistant Stage Manager).

Reflecting on their selection, some members shared:

“I’m so excited to be surrounded by such inspiring creatives and to be part of a process where everyone’s ideas are valued and encouraged.” — Jess Yeo, Choreographer

“I’m looking forward to working with many creative people and refining my trade in an inclusive setting.” — Harry Hincks, Assistant Lighting Designer

“I’m incredibly excited to join Beyond Ballet and to have the chance to develop my skills as a disabled artist through mentoring. I’m particularly looking forward to spreading the values of inclusive dance throughout the company and beyond.” — Grace Thompson, Dance Leader & Facilitator

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In addition to our Beyond Ballet® cohort, we’re delighted to welcome the Beyond Ballet® Network – a light-touch professional community of early-career choreographers, dance leaders, lighting designers, and producers. Through online development sessions and networking events, the Network will connect with the Beyond Ballet® cohort to connect, share ideas, and support each other’s growth, which at this stage in their career can be a vital way to develop, learn, and progress.

The 2025/26 Network includes: Rebecca Armstrong, Beth Weller, Charis O’Halloran, Anna Raquel dos Santos Azavedo, Anna-Louise McMinn, Samara Langham, Emily Cozens, Millie Hawkes, Rudy Walding, Poppy Crowther, Esme Dann, and Mia Grote-Mesembe.

Stay tuned for more updates, and meet the full cohort here.

Photo by Lachlan Monaghan