Kevin O'Hare appointed The Royal Ballet director

Kevin O'Hare Kevin O'Hare trained at The Royal Ballet.

Retired dancer Kevin O'Hare has been appointed the director of The Royal Ballet, it has been announced. O'Hare, who who trained at the prestigious school, said: "I want to continue to invigorate audiences with new work and emerging talents."

Kevin O’Hare is to become Director of the Royal Ballet when current incumbent Monica Mason retires in July 2012.

In 2004 O'Hare returned to The Royal Ballet as company director, working his way up to be administrative director.

"I plan to bring together the most talented artists of the 21st Century to collaborate on the same stage – world-class dancers, choreographers, designers, and musicians," O'Hare said in a statement. "I will aim to use all the traditional and new platforms now available to engage our audiences in our classic repertoire, and The Royal Ballet's unique heritage." O'Hare became principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) in 1990.

His repertory included all the leading classical roles and works by Balanchine, Cranko, Van Manen, Tudor and Tharp. Leading choreographers Wayne McGregor and Christopher Wheeldon will become part of his senior artistic team.

The chief executive of the Royal Opera House, Tony Hall, said: "All of us were impressed by Kevin's outstanding vision for building on the achievements of the last 10 years.

"Kevin has a fantastic track record as a dancer, and understands the importance of nurturing dancers at all levels of the company."

O’Hare, the current Royal Ballet Administrative Director, trained at the Royal Ballet School before dancing leading classical roles for Birmingham Royal Ballet (formerly Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet). He has been with the Royal Ballet since 2004, when he joined as Company Manager, becoming Administrative Director in 2009.

Speaking about his appointment, O’Hare said: “This is a great honour for me. Under Monica Mason’s inspired leadership The Royal Ballet has had a great ten years. I am equally ambitious for the Company and dance in general.”

Today’s news follows Friday’s announcement that John Fulljames is to join the Royal Opera as Associate Director of Opera to work alongside new Director of Opera Kasper Holten from September, with current General Manager Cormac Simms becoming Administrative Director.

Antonio Pappano, Music Director of the Royal Opera commented: “I’m delighted that John Fulljames will be joining us in September, alongside Kasper Holten. It’s a hugely challenging time ahead. We’re continually striving to present the very best on our stages and I think with the combined energies and expertise of Kasper and John, and ably supported by Cormac Simms, audiences can expect to see some very fascinating developments building on the wonderful work of the past decade in the new theatre.” NP

Next Royal Ballet chief is smiling insider Kevin O'Hare Written by Ismene Brown

Kevin OHare appointed The Royal Ballet director | Danza Ballet