Being a Ballet Principal Dancer

What To Expect?
What are some of the physical and mental skills and resilience you need to be a leading principal in one of the world's best ballet companies? Steven will talk you through his training and career journey, and tell some stories of what it's like being at the top of the ballet world. What does a normal week look like? What is it like being a guest artist all over the world? How do you deal with pressure, nerves and expectation? This is your chance to ask questions of one of the industry's most acclaimed ballet dancers.
Missed it? Don't miss out! Catch up on the Vimeo link above. Videos will only be available until August 7 2020.
Steven McRae
Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet
@stevenmcrae_Australian dancer Steven McRae is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He joined The Royal Ballet School on a Prix de Lausanne scholarship in 2003. He graduated into The Royal Ballet in 2004 and was promoted to First Artist in 2005, Soloist in 2006, First Soloist in 2008 and Principal in 2009. McRae was born in Sydney and trained with Hilary Kaplan and at The Royal Ballet School. He won the 2002 Adeline Genée Gold Medal and the 2003 Prix de Lausanne. His roles with The Royal Ballet include all the classical repertory and leading roles in works by choreographers including Frederick Ashton, David Bintley, William Forsythe, Wayne McGregor and more. McRae has performed as a guest artist with companies including American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Australian Ballet, Tokyo Ballet and at numerous international galas. His awards include the 2006 Emerging Male Artist (Classical) and the 2011 Best Male Dancer awards at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards.