Our 2019 Artistic Team

Drew McOnie most recently directed and choreographed King Kong on Broadway and Strictly Ballroom in the West End, with other work as choreographer including In The Heights, for which he won an Olivier Award. He is the Artistic Director of McOnie Company and an Associate Artist of The Old Vic. Drew returns to National Youth Ballet having performed in several seasons as a young dancer, and having choreographed his first pieces through the Company’s Beyond Ballet platform; Monochrome Suite aged 16 and The Old Man of Lochnagar aged 20.

Ruth Brill is currently a Choreographer and First Artist with Birmingham Royal Ballet, having previously danced with English National Ballet. Current projects include Peter and the Wolf (her fourth commission for Birmingham Royal Ballet) and a full-length narrative production of Ballet Shoes (for London Children’s Ballet), both productions premiere in Summer 2019. Ruth returns to National Youth Ballet having performed with the Company as a young dancer, winning the bronze statuette. More recently, Ruth created a new piece Steamboat Summer for the Company’s 2017 season as part of the Beyond Ballet platform for emerging choreographers.

Carrie Johnson currently teaches at The Urdang Academy, having previously danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, New Adventures, Phantom of the Opera and The McOnie Company.  Carrie returns to National Youth Ballet having performed with the Company as a young dancer.