Christopher Powney
Christopher Powney has had a distinguished 37-year career in dance, spanning roles as a performer, educator, artistic director, programmer, and CEO. With 16 years of leadership experience and an extensive international network, he has transformed elite training institutions, curated and managed performances, and nurtured the careers of many of the world’s top dancers, leaving a lasting impact on the global dance landscape.
As a performer, Christopher enjoyed a versatile career in both classical ballet and contemporary dance, performing with Northern Ballet, English National Ballet, and Rambert Dance Company. He created and performed numerous roles, collaborating with some of the most influential choreographers and artists of his generation, including Christopher Gable, Lynn Seymour, Gillian Lynne, Raisa Struchkova, Ivan Nagy, Rudolf Nureyev, Glen Tetley, Ohad Naharin, Kim Brandstrup, Peter Wright, Twyla Tharp, Christopher Bruce, and Jiří Kylián.
During his performance career, Christopher developed a passion for teaching, earning a Distinction from The Royal Ballet School’s Professional Dancers Teachers’ Course. In 1996, he was appointed Assistant Artistic Director of Central School of Ballet’s graduate touring company while continuing to guest perform with Rambert. He rejoined Rambert in 1998 before transitioning fully into dance training.
In 2000, he joined The Royal Ballet Upper School as a teacher, followed by international experience as Graduate Teacher at the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague, in 2006. In 2010, he became Artistic Director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy, where he set about raising artistic and technical standards with the shared ambition and vision, with Ted Brandsen, of aligning the Academy with Dutch National Ballet. He expanded the academy’s international presence, securing its status as a partner school of the Prix de Lausanne in 2012. Christopher also founded the Amsterdam International Summer School (2011) and co-founded the Dutch National Ballet Junior Company (2013), creating a vital bridge between training and professional careers.
In 2014, Christopher was appointed Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, London, later assuming the role of Artistic Director & CEO in 2022. Over his ten-year tenure, he led a transformative evolution of over forty initiatives in artistic training, studio culture, and student well-being. His initiatives included the creation of The Healthy Dancer Programme, a pioneering approach to physical, emotional, and mental health support. A strong advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, he oversaw the expansion of Training & Access programmes to increase diversity, elevate teaching standards, and widen access to ballet education. He also launched the Creative Artist Programme, designed to inspire students, broaden their artistic perspectives, and encourage creative risk-taking.
Under Christopher’s leadership, the School’s Associate Programmes and Intensive Courses expanded nationally and internationally, strengthening its global influence. His vast professional network played a key role in ensuring exceptional career opportunities for graduates, with approximately 97% securing professional dance contracts during his tenure. He also steered the School through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring its resilience and continued excellence. In his final year, he established the aDvANCE Conferences, convening leaders from top international institutions to share, discuss and innovate current dance training challenges.
Today, Christopher is a highly sought-after international teacher, mentor, and consultant in dance education. He regularly serves on juries for major competitions. In 2022, he became a member of the Windsor Leadership Alumni Network.
Last update: 10-09-2025