Meet the dancers

'What makes us unique? The way everyone works together is really special. It's the repertoire that puts us in a different field. We try to make ballet for everyone; we try to make dance for now, for tomorrow. For everyone that hasn't seen it we try to make it accessible in every way that we can.'

Kenneth Tindall, Premiere Dancer

Northern Ballet is a place where young stars of the future can reach their potential, where dancers at the start of their careers are nurtured and where established artists can reach greater heights. By sponsoring a dancer you can help our dancers at all levels reach their potential and our young stars of the future achieve their dreams.

Abi is aged 13 and a student with Northern Ballet Academy. She dreams of becoming a dancer and believes that here, with Northern Ballet, her dreams are in reach.

Josh Barwick trained with Northern Ballet Academy and returned to join us as an apprentice; he is now a dancer in his first year at Northern Ballet.

In January 2011, Premier Dancer Martha Leebolt won the Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) award at the National Dance Awards. Her skills and talent have been nurtured and developed at Northern Ballet and David Nixon OBE created the role of Cleopatra on her.

Northern Ballet is an inventive, challenging and inspiring company. We are a British success story. We nurture new talent, create new stories, engage and delight our audiences and bring ballet to more and more people. But we need all of our dancers to be able to do it.

What it means to me...

Our dancers tell us what it would mean to them if you sponsored them...

Antoinette Brooks DawTo be sponsored through this campaign would be massive motivation for me as a dancer. It would give me the confidence to believe in my abilities and allow me to develop as an artist. I would be forever grateful!

Ashley DixonBeing sponsored would mean becoming part of this fantastic growth both as a company and myself as a dancer and is a perfect opportunity to join a striding company before its peak.

Ayana KandaIt would be nice to know somebody is interested in me as a dancer.

Ben MitchellIt would mean the world to me to be sponsored. Northern Ballet has become my home and it would be an honour to know that people want to invest in all my hard work. It would make me very proud to know that I am being supported as an artist and a dedicated member of this wonderful company.

Isaac Lee-Baker

Darren GoldsmithIf someone supported me though the Sponsor a Dancer campaign I would have the chance to connect with a supporter of the Company on a more personal level and know that they believe in me and the Company as much as I do.

Jessica Cohen

Giuliano ContadiniHaving someone invest in me would be a great honour. It would help me develop my career and grow as an interpretive artist.

Graham KotowichIt would mean the potential for advancing my personal artistic and technical ability while also being able to perform the variety of ballets that we offer at Northern Ballet.

Hannah BatemanBeing supported through the Sponsor A Dancer campaign would be such a boost emotionally, for someone to show that level of confidence in you as an artist would, I am sure feel totally overwhelming.

Hironao TakahashiIt will give me more confidence and it would brighten up 20 years of my dancing career.

Isabella GaspariniIf I was sponsored, I would feel extremely grateful and encouraged to carry on working hard towards achieving my full potential as a dancer.

Jeremy CurnierIf I were to be sponsored it would allow me to continue the career I have worked towards since the age of eleven and I would carry on involving myself in all the roles given so I could bring joy to those who watch me.

Jessica MorganDance is my passion, which grows when I am able to share it. Knowing I have someone supporting me and sharing my experiences through Sponsor a Dancer will make the hard work even more worthwhile.

John HullBeing sponsored would be amazing as it would allow the creation of new pieces and the opportunity to create, perform and enjoy the amazing feeling of dancing!

Josh BarwickThe thought of somebody picking me out of all the dancers as worthy of sponsorship would make me feel incredibly honoured and encouraged. I am already living my dream but your support can help that dream continue.

Julie CharletIf I were to be sponsored, it would make me feel very special and it would enable me to carry on progressing into the dancer I have always dreamt of being.

Kenneth TindallKnowing that someone wanted to sponsor me would fill me with confidence and joy. It would allow me to continue to fulfil my ambitions and potential.

Lori GilchristAs I grew up in Yorkshire I got to see many productions by Northern Ballet. From being 5 years old I knew this was the company for me. Sponsorship would encourage me and give me the confidence to fulfill my passion in the company I love.

Martha LeeboltI would be very grateful and excited for the opportunities that a sponsorship would bring.

Joseph Taylor

Matthew BroadbentJust starting out in my career such support would not only enable me to grow and progress with the help of David Nixon and Yoko Ichino but also provide me with confidence to perfect my art knowing I had assistance supporting me.

Michela PaolacciI have had some of the best moments of my career on stage with Northern Ballet. As a company we are always supportive of each other in every aspect of the job. To be sponsored would be an immense honour for every dancer and would help us grow in confidence and artistry knowing that we have your support.

Nicola GervasiTo be supported through the Sponsor a Dancer campaign would give me the chance to stay in the Company, keep growing as a dancer and to keep doing a job I love at a high standard.

Rachel GillespieIt represents faith in my artistic future, career development and confidence in my delivery and place in one of the world’s greatest art forms. I know I still have far more to give.

Pippa MooreTo me it would mean that someone amazing is on the sidelines cheering me on, sharing the same dream understanding my vision and supporting me along the way.

Sebastian LoeTo be a sponsored dancer would grant me the support needed to allow myself to advance and progress as an artist.

Thomas AragonesIf someone chose to sponsor me, it would mean that they believe in me as an artist and would give me the confidence to keep growing.

Tobias BatleyMy career at Northern Ballet has given me great opportunities to develop myself as a dancer, performing roles such as Mark Antony in Cleopatra, Hamlet and Dracula. For someone to sponsor me, just as my career is reaching new heights, would be greatly encouraging.

Victoria SibsonIf I were sponsored it would be an amazing thing - I've always performed to my highest ability but having a sponsor behind me would raise a new element in my performance. I would go that extra mile to not only make myself proud, but their involvement in the performance through me, something to be proud of.

Kevin Poeung

Dreda BlowBeing included in the Northern Ballet ‘family’ over the past 4 years has shaped and defined me, not only as an artist but as a person too. I would be truly honoured and grateful if a sponsorship would allow me to continue my career as a part of this company’s exciting future!

Javier TorresHaving a sponsor would make me feel supported and help me continue my career here at Northern Ballet.

Abigail PrudamesIf someone were to sponsor me I would be extremely touched. It would be a great feeling to know that someone is supporting me. Being sponsored would give me more confidence in what I do. It would be great to get to know on a personal level a member of the public who has faith in what I do.