Man with fair curly hair, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, looks directly at the camera and smiles warmly and open mouthed

Jonathan Hanks

Dancers

Leading Soloist

Jonathan is from Gloucester and trained at Linda Virgoe's Dance Studio and The Royal Ballet School (Lower and Upper Schools). He danced with the Estonian National Ballet before joining Northern Ballet in 2016.

Jonathan is sponsored by Bernard Eke.

Jonathan Hank hold Minju Kang above his head by her lower back, her leaning back
Jonathan Hanks performs in the dance of the French dolls in Northern Ballet's The Nutcracker. Photo Emma Kauldhar
Jonathan Hanks and Antoinette Brooks-Daw perform a duet from A Christmas Carol in Northern Ballet's 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala. Photo Emma Kauldhar
Female dance in splits, one leg in front of her, torso leaning forward and her head touching her lower leg, her arms help up and supported by the male dancer.
The Sugar Plum Fairy posing arabesque as the Cavalier offers a steadying hand
Two dancers stand arabesque, the woman en pointe, while another dancer strides in the background watching them
two dancers on stage in a ballet pose wearing orange, gold and brown costumes
A female hair stylist works on a male dancer.
Two dancers, leaning and looking away from each other while holding their right hands
Black and white photo of man reclining and smiling
Jonathan Hanks performs in a duet from A Christmas Carol during Northern Ballet's 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala. Photo Emma Kauldhar

Learn more about Jonathan...

Where were you born and raised?

Born and raised in Gloucester before leaving home at the age of 14 to train at The Royal Ballet School.

At what age did you start dancing?

6 years old.

Where did you train?

Linda Virgoe Dance Studio and The Royal Ballet School (Lower and Upper Schools).

Previous companies

Estonian National Ballet.

Awards, nominations and prizes

ERGO Dance Award 2011, Finalist at Youth America Grand Prix 2009, Commendation in the Young British Dancer of the Year Final 2008, Finalist in Young British Dancer of the Year 2007.

Which Northern Ballet role would you most like to perform?

Beast (Beauty & the Beast).

Career/training highlights

Dancing Bottom from Ashton's The Dream on The Royal Opera House stage and Lensky from Onegin by John Cranko.

What do you like most about being a dancer?

For me it's such an amazing feeling being able to freely move and express your body to music.

If you could adapt one work into a ballet what would it be?

Harry Potter.

What is your favourite book?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.

What is your favourite post-show meal?

Any kind of pasta dish.

How do you like to relax?

Going to the cinema, eating out and socialising with friends.

If you weren't a dancer what would you be?

I couldn't imagine my life not being involved in dance in some shape or form.

Photos by Emily Nuttall, Emma Kauldhar, Tristram Kenton, George Liang, and Sophie Beth Jones.