About National Youth Ballet
National Youth Ballet was founded by incredible Artistic and Executive Director Jill Tookey CBE nearly 40 years ago. Jill was an inspiration to all who met her. She was a modern-day Diaghilev, pairing creative teams together, designing costumes, and spotting and nurturing the creative talent of the future. Jill’s mantra was “Dream big, nothing is impossible, and spend time doing the things you most love.”
What We Do
Each year we work with hundreds of young people and provide transformational opportunities for young people to participate in, create and perform classical and contemporary ballet. Our programmes aim to challenge perceptions about what ballet can be and who it is for.
Our mission is to bring young people together through creative, joyful and inclusive ballet activities that nurture confidence, skills and positive values.
Our vision is that young people are empowered to thrive, shaping the future of ballet and the world around them.
Our Programmes
- Residential Performance Company and Residential Performance Company Intensive, replicating a professional company environment for talented young dancers
- Creative workshops across the UK, bringing ballet to a wider catchment of young people and partners
- Beyond Ballet® programme nurturing early-career artists
- NYB All In! advocates for an integrative approach to more inclusive practice
- Moving Minds, cultivating a mind/body approach to teach the skills that young people need to navigate our artform and the world today
