Christopher Powney appointed new artistic director of Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company

Christopher Powney has been appointed as the new artistic director of Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company as of 1 January 2026. He succeeds Ernst Meisner, who will take up the position as director of Dutch National Ballet on 1 August 2026.

Powney has a distinguished track record in the dance world, having held positions as dancer, teacher, artistic director, programmer and CEO. From 2014 to 2024, he was artistic director and CEO of The Royal Ballet School in London, and from 2010 to 2014, he was artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy, part of the Academy of Theatre and Dance of the Amsterdam University of the Arts.

The Junior Company, based on an idea by Ted Brandsen and founded in 2013 by Brandsen and Powney, is one of the most prominent junior companies in the world. The international ensemble of young top talents can be seen annually in theatres throughout the country and internationally, performing a repertoire that includes existing masterpieces as well as many new creations made especially for the young dancers. 

Ted Brandsen, director Dutch National Ballet, said:
“Christopher Powney has unrivalled experience in various capacities, working with young dancers, an extensive international network, and an enormous knowledge of and love for dance and dancers. Together with Ernst Meisner, he will form a very strong team that will further develop Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company – the future of classical ballet in our country is in good hands. I cannot imagine a better person for this position and am delighted with the appointment of Christopher Powney as the new artistic director of the Junior Company, which we founded together 12 years ago.”

Ernst Meisner, associate director Talent Development and artistic director Junior Company, said:
“Christopher is a wonderful teacher and coach, with years of international experience. He devotes himself wholeheartedly to the continual positive development of our art form. One of the ways he does so is by listening to and working with the younger generation of dancers. The knowledge and passion Christopher brings to our company inspires great confidence, and I look forward to finding ways of working together to facilitate the next exciting steps in the development of the Junior Company and Dutch National Ballet. And by doing so, to offer talented youngsters from the Netherlands and abroad the best possible opportunities to develop themselves.”

Christopher Powney said:
“Returning to the Netherlands to lead Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company truly feels like coming full circle. When Ted Brandsen and I founded the Junior Company in 2013, none of us could have imagined how vital and successful it would become as the bridge between training and the professional stage. That success is a testament to Ted, to Ernst Meisner and his dedicated team, and to the many young dancers who have thrived within it. I am therefore honoured, inspired, and above all, excited to work with its extraordinary dancers and everyone who makes this company so exceptional. This is a milestone year, celebrating Ted’s remarkable legacy while looking ahead to Ernst’s visionary new leadership of one of the world’s greatest ballet companies. I feel privileged to be part of this moment of transition, to support Ernst, and I am energised by all that lies ahead.”