About National Youth Ballet
National Youth Ballet was founded by Artistic and Executive Director Jill Tookey CBE nearly 40 years ago. Jill was an inspiration to all who met her. She was a modern-day Diaghilev, pairing creative teams together, designing costumes, and spotting and nurturing the creative talent of the future. Jill’s mantra was “Dream big, nothing is impossible, and spend time doing the things you most love.”
What We Do
Each year we work with over 500 young people to provide transformational opportunities for them to participate in, create and perform classical and contemporary ballet. Our programmes challenge perceptions about what ballet can be and who it is for.
Our mission is to bring young people together through creative, joyful and inclusive ballet activities that nurture confidence, skills and positive values.
Our vision is that young people are empowered to thrive, shaping the future of ballet and the world around them.
Our Programmes
- Residential Performance Company replicating a professional company environment for talented young dancers.
- Creative workshops across the UK, bringing ballet to a wider catchment of young people and partners.
- Beyond Ballet® programme nurturing early-career artists.
- NYB All In! programme that explores how ballet can be created and taught in ways that are more accessible for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent dancers.
- Moving Minds, cultivating a mind/body approach to teach the skills that young people need to navigate our artform and the world today.
View our NYB annual reports and accounts on the Charity Commission website
