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Harris Beattie

Dancers

Junior Soloist

Harris trained at Danscentre in Aberdeen and Central School of Ballet, graduating in 2018 with BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance. In 2017 he won the prestigious Gold medal at the Genée International Ballet Competition. Past performance experience incudes performing works by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, Matthew Bourne and Jenna Lee with Ballet Central. He joined Northern Ballet in 2018.

Harris is sponsored by Christine & Peter Farmer.

HArris BEattie as a young Jay Gatsby. Photo Emma Kauldhar
Geppetto warns Pinocchio speaking firmly and wagging a finger, while Pinocchio simply looks on petulantly
Harris Beattie and Rachael Gillespie perform Wuthering Heights at Northern Ballet's 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala. Photo Emma Kauldhar
Pinocchio is proud as he is about to go to school with a satchel across one shoulder and a smile on his face
George Wilson in his garage leaning, wearing a dirty white T-shirt and blue dungarees over a car tyre considering his life.

Learn more about Harris

Where were you born and raised?

Aberdeen, Scotland.

At what age did you start dancing?

I started dancing at age 10.

Where did you train?

I trained at Danscentre in Aberdeen with Karen Berry and Michelle Whyte. I trained in all genres Modern Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet but focused on Ballet and Contemporary from 16. I was also a Royal Ballet Senior Associate and used to travel down each weekend to London from Aberdeen.

Previous companies

Past performance experience incudes playing Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical in London’s West End and performing works by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan and Mathew Bourne with Ballet Central.

Awards/nominations/prizes

Gold medal at the Adeline Genée International Ballet Competition 2017, plus the Choreographic Award and Audience Choice Award; being the first person in the history of the competition to win all three. In 2015 I also won the Royal Academy of Dance Phyllis Bedell’s Bursary.

Favourite Northern Ballet roles/which Northern Ballet role would you most like to dance?

I would love to play Romeo at some point in my career.

What do you like most about being a dancer?

I have always been drawn to movement and love all aspects, in particular the athleticism and physicality, and also the chance to be expressive. I especially love the opportunity for training and developing my skills. I like understanding about the how and why of movement, it’s not enough just to do a movement I need to understand it from the inside out. I also really enjoy the challenge of learning new choreography and working with different choreographers and a range of styles.

How do you like to relax?

I like to be back in Aberdeen. The scenery, sea and light make for a special landscape and space. I also started to learn golf which I really enjoy.

Photos taken by Emily Nuttall, Emma Kauldhar, and Brian Slater.