English National Ballet's Artistic Director and Lead Principal Dancer, Tamara Rojo CBE, will step down towards the end of 2022 to take up the role of Artistic Director at San Francisco Ballet.
Since Rojo’s appointment to the role in 2012, she has introduced new works into the repertoire, while continuing to celebrate the tradition of great classical ballet. She has commissioned work from both established and emerging creatives, including more than 40 works choreographed by women. She led the move in 2019 into the RIBA award-winning Mulryan Centre for Dance, a purpose-built new home in east London.
Later this month, Rojo will make her choreographic and directorial debut with Raymonda, her first full-length ballet, performed by ENB at the London Coliseum.
Rojo said, “ it has been an honour to have led this extraordinary company for the last 10 years. I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved together, from the tremendous talent working within and alongside the Company, to creating and moving into the amazing new building we now call our home, to the off-stage communities we have established with our education and engagement work.
"English National Ballet’s fundamental aim to bring world-class ballet to the widest possible audience has always resonated with me. It is the reason the Company has been a part of my life for so many years, from performing here as a dancer early in my career, to returning as Artistic Director in 2012. My admiration and support do not end here, I will remain invested in English National Ballet’s continued success in the years to come.
"It has been a privilege to be the custodian of English National Ballet and as I prepare to hand over the reins, I am confident that this world-class company which is at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution with a much-deserved place on the international stage, will continue to flourish and thrive.”