Birmingham Royal Ballet has announced a series of promotions within the company for the 2025/26 season, as director Carlos Acosta reflects on a landmark year.
Six dancers have been promoted, with Yasiel Hodelín Bello named First Soloist, Rosanna Ely, Ryan Felix, Haoliang Feng and Mason King promoted to Soloist, and Amelia Thompson elevated to First Artist.
Acosta said: “Following a momentous week in which we celebrated Sir Peter Wright’s 100th birthday and I danced on stage with the company for the first time to mark the occasion, I am once again filled with gratitude for everyone’s hard work this season on and off stage.”
He added: “It takes an army to stage our productions and to take them around the country. Revivals of Black Sabbath – The Ballet and Don Quixote – two new productions created during my first five years at BRB – once again indicate our ongoing commitment to new ideas and heritage ballets, with our Birmingham production of The Nutcracker breaking all previous box office records this season – and fittingly so since the ballet was a gift from Sir Peter to the City of Birmingham. As usual Birmingham gives back! I’m sure everyone is looking forward to a well-earned rest and to opening next season at Birmingham Hippodrome with Sir Peter’s Swan Lake. Congratulations to all our deservedly promoted dancers. Let the celebrations continue!!”
Speaking about Yasiel Hodelín Bello’s promotion, Acosta said: “‘Yasiel’s performances of Nutcracker Prince and Basilio (Don Quixote) were particularly impressive this season. A truly gifted dancer Yasiel’s artistry is rapidly developing. I very much look forward to his performances in Swan Lake and Maiden of Venice next season.’”
On Rosanna Ely, he said: “‘Rosanna has developed beautifully as an artist. Her positive demeanour, commitment and team-working spirit are evident throughout her work. Most notably, she excelled as Clara (The Nutcracker), Rose Fairy (The Nutcracker), Kitri’s Friend (Don Quixote) and most recently, the Pas de Quatre (The Sleeping Beauty) at the Sir Peter Wright Centenary Celebration.’”
Regarding Ryan Felix, Acosta commented: “‘Ryan’s strength and versatility – in the many soloist and corps de ballet roles he has performed – is truly impressive. Ryan has shone particularly brightly as Lead Gypsy, and Espada (Don Quixote), Death (The Green Table) not forgetting his performance in Pas de Quatre (The Sleeping Beauty) at the Sir Peter Wright Centenary Celebration.’”
On Haoliang Feng, he added: “‘Haoliang has given several seasons of consistently strong performances, excelling in all the roles he has performed. He performed in every single performance of Don Quixote earlier in the year, most notably as Espada, and not forgetting his excellent Nutcracker Prince.’”
For Mason King, Acosta said: “‘Over the last season in particular, Mason has truly excelled and demonstrated tremendous potential, especially in roles such as the Nutcracker Prince, Basilio and Espada (Don Quixote), not forgetting the many other roles he has performed.’”
And on Amelia Thompson: “‘Amelia has demonstrated reliability and continues to deliver consistently high standards, most notably in the roles of Snow Fairy (The Nutcracker), Rose Fairy (The Nutcracker), Queen of the Dryads and Mercedes (Don Quixote).’”
The company has also announced that long-serving Principal dancer Samara Downs will step down from performing after 23 years, taking up a new position as Répétiteur following her final appearances at the Sir Peter Wright Centenary and 20th-Century Masterpieces.
Birmingham Royal Ballet, based at Birmingham Hippodrome, continues to tour nationally and internationally, presenting a mix of classical repertoire and new work under Acosta’s direction.
More information can be found here.
