Former Royal Ballet School student becomes 8th Director of The Royal Ballet

The Royal Opera House announced on 14 June that Kevin O’Hare - a former student of The Royal Ballet School - is to become Director of The Royal Ballet from July 2012, following Monica Mason’s retirement.

Kevin came to the Upper School from White Lodge in 1981, graduating in 1984 to join Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet becoming a Principal Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet (as the Company then became) in 1990. Kevin retired from dancing in 2000.

With his appointment, Kevin becomes the fourth out of the eight Directors of The Royal Ballet who were graduates of the School, the others being Kenneth MacMillan, Anthony Dowell and Monica Mason.

Commenting on Kevin’s appointment, Director of The Royal Ballet School Gailene Stock said:

‘We wish Kevin every possible success in his new role and we very much look forward to working closely with him in the coming years. As we find ways of commemorating ten years since the death of our founder Ninette de Valois, Kevin’s appointment represents a new chapter in further developing Madam’s vision of School and Companies being closely connected.’


The full press release can be read at:
http://www.roh.org.uk/pressandmedia/pressreleases.aspx

Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke, Courtesy of The Royal Ballet