The Royal Ballet appoints Stuart Cassidy as Répétiteur to the Principal Artists
The Royal Ballet has announced the appointment of Stuart Cassidy as Répétiteur to the Principal Artists. Cassidy (full biography below) studied at The Royal Ballet School, joined The Royal Ballet in 1987, and was promoted to Principal Artist within four years.
I was nurtured, guided, and supported by wonderful mentors throughout my time with the company, Cassidy said. I am honoured to have the opportunity to combine those years, with the growth and development I have experienced during my career since, to give back to the exceptional dancers within The Royal Ballet.
After 11 years he left the Company to join K-Ballet in Japan with several other Royal Ballet dancers. Since September 2023 he has been an artistic teacher at the Royal Ballet School. Cassidy will take up his new position during the 2024-2025 Season.
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet said:
We are delighted to welcome Stuart back to the Company. Following an exceptional dancing career with The Royal Ballet and then K-Ballet, Stuart has now forged an impressive position as a coach in Japan, New Zealand and most recently at The Royal Ballet School.
A passionate teacher, his warmth, matched with outstanding musicality, theatricality and breadth of repertoire make him the perfect addition to the Company.
Stuart Cassidy Biography
Cassidy started training with The Royal Ballet School’s Associate Programme before training at White Lodge and Upper School. After graduating, he joined The Royal Ballet and was rapidly promoted to Principal after only four years with the Company. Most notably, as a corps de ballet member, he made his debut as Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan‘s Romeo and Juliet.
After 11 years with The Royal Ballet, he joined K-Ballet in Japan as a principal dancer, founding member, and Assistant Director until 2020. He remains an Honorary Principal of K-Ballet.
Cassidy qualified from the Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dancers’ Teacher Diploma with distinction in 2003 and became a qualified Pilates instructor in 2005. He is a passionate teacher, having taught students and professionals at The Royal Ballet Upper School, K-Ballet, New Zealand School of Dance, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and English National Ballet School.
photos by Pierre Tappon
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
