Iain Mackay, former Principal, Birmingham Royal Ballet & Artist Director

 Iain Mackay, former Principal, Birmingham Royal Ballet &  Artistic Director, Yorkshire Ballet Summer School in conversation with Esme Chandler Monday 21 January, 7.30 pm at the Civil Service Club 13-15 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HJ Payment at the door, members £5, guests £8 Iain trained at the Dance School of Scotland before moving to London to finish his studies at the Royal Ballet Upper School. In 1999 he joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet where he rapidly rose through the ranks achieving promotion to Principal dancer in 2003. He has performed all the principal roles in the classical repertoire, partnering some of the most iconic ballerinas including Tamara Rojo and Miyako Yoshida. He has collaborated with numerous world-class choreographers creating many new roles, such as the Prince in David Bintley's highly acclaimed Cinderella. He has enjoyed an impressive international performing career and in recent years has dedicated much of his time to teaching, mentoring and governance across the dance sector.

Iain is also proud to be an Ambassador for the Royal Academy of Dance. Recently Iain took on the role of Artistic Director of Yorkshire Ballet Summer School. He had attended the Summer School in 1991 as a young lad with a passion for dance. He said “My time at the Summer School played an inspiring role in my pursuit to become a professional dancer. Yorkshire Ballet Summer School has a rich heritage and an outstanding, international reputation for delivering world-class tuition. For this one must recognise and admire the strong and visionary leadership of Marguerite Porter and the founder David Gayle. Having enjoyed a nineteen-year performing career, I’m excited to have this opportunity to pass on the knowledge, passion and energy I have to support and nurture future generations of dancers giving them the platform to pursue their dream and to join the ever-changing professional world of dance.”