Started in November 2019, Dance Leaders of the Future is open exclusively to English National Ballet dancers. It offers the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and gain experience and a greater understanding of the running of an arts organisation.
Following a selection process, Isabelle Brouwers, who has been with English National Ballet since 2014, has been chosen as the next dancer taking part.
She will attend key organisational meetings and shadow English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo; Executive Director, Patrick Harrison; and Chief Operating Officer, Grace Chan. Working around her rehearsal and performance commitments, she will also carry out placements in key administrative departments, and learn more about Arts Council England and the business model at English National Ballet.
“As a passionate and insatiably curious artist and person, I am extremely humbled and immensely grateful for this opportunity for personal and intellectual development, both on and behind the scenes” said Isabelle, who has many hopes and ideas she will bring to the table.
“My passions and interests are widespread and I have long held a firm belief in the boundless possibilities that dance can hold. I am looking forward to exploring various opportunities with my colleagues across departments – from staff well-being with HR to content creation with Marketing. I am also keen to explore the vast opportunities that exist to enrich and diversify our art form, so it can evolve and we can pave the way for artistic generations to come.”
Isabelle Brouwers follows James Streeter, who was the first dancer to be involved in the programme.
“I am grateful to ENB for creating an opportunity to work with and alongside such inspiring people. The Dance Leaders of the Future experience has been incredible”, said James, who also reflected on his experience producing Emerging Dancer, our internal competition and celebration of the rising stars of the company:
“Being able to produce two Emerging Dancer events has given me so much. It offered me the chance to learn invaluable tools, from forming and managing my own team, creating guidelines and systems ensuring that targets and expectations are met, working on budgets, and to communicating in a completely different format to that of a studio. It has shown me how important it is to lead with confidence, understanding and honesty whilst being available and open to all. Thank you to everyone for all they have done for me throughout this process. Their generosity, care and time will stay with me throughout all my next leadership steps.”
Everyone at English National Ballet would like to congratulate Isabelle Brouwers and looks forward to working with her!