A choreographer has her hand on a dancers waist. The dancer watches her, his arms raised at his side.

Joe Powell-Main

Guest Artist

Originally from Wales, Joe is a disabled dancer and choreographer who uses wheels and crutches in his performance.

He trained at the Royal Ballet School Junior Associate Programme, progressing to the Royal Ballet Lower School for four years until unfortunately developing injuries due to a prolonged period of growth, which required knee surgery. Afterwards, complications developed and Joe was also involved in a serious car accident, which led to him having to leave the Royal Ballet School.

A wheelchair dancer laughs with another dancer who leans backwards, resting his hands on the wheelchair for support. Another dancer stands next to them with his arms in the air. The choreographer can be seen watching them in the foreground.
Wheelchair dancer leans back and grabs the hands of two other dancers, one beside him the other behind
Three smiling dancers looking for approval from the supervising choreographer
Two dancers hold hands and pull away from each other, one braced with his feet on the ground, the other with the wheels of his chair against the pull
A disabled dancer in a wheelchair poses intently with two dancers and the choreographer each holding a strained pose by him
A choreographer has her hand on a dancers waist. The dancer watches her, his arms raised at his side.

Since then, Joe has reignited his love of dance and ballet, graduating with a First Class Degree in Dance and Performance from the Arden School of Theatre. Nowadays he dances freelance and has collaborated and danced with various leading UK ballet companies, such as Ballet Cymru, Royal Ballet & Opera and now Northern Ballet, all whilst championing inclusive dance through his performance, teaching and charity patronship.

Photos from Victory Dance rehearsals in 2024, taken by Emily Nuttall.