With allegations of bullying and body shaming at some of our top ballet schools in the news this week, it’s heartening to meet a ballet boss who makes the health and wellbeing of his dancers a prime concern. “A positive company culture is central to my vision,” says Aaron Watkin, the new artistic director at the English National Ballet. “I want to ensure the voices and individuality of our dancers shine through.”
The Canadian took over at ENB last month and has barely had time to find his way around the company’s 93,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art building in Docklands, London. He presents well, he’s articulate and friendly, and is well aware of the non-artistic issues facing ballet directors in the 21st century – not least
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