CHOREA2026

The Royal Swedish Opera is Sweden’s national stage for opera and ballet. And it has been since January 18, 1773, when the first performance was given at the “Kongl. Opera”. A few years earlier, in 1771, King Gustaf III had dismissed the French opera troupe that for twenty years played in the so-called “Bollhuset” (basically a tennis court) at Slottsbacken in Stockholm. This is because Gustav III wanted to create a Swedish ensemble that could perform Swedish operas.

As Sweden’s national theatre for ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet offers both classical ballet and contemporary dance. With one foot rooted in tradition and the other stepping into the future, the company has a loyal and diverse audience.

The Royal Swedish Ballet is one of the world’s oldest ballet companies. It was founded in 1773 by King Gustav III. It is Sweden’s largest dance company with the task of curating and developing classical ballet as well as contemporary, innovative works.

Kaho Yanagisawa

Soloist with the Royal Swedish Ballet & Artistic Director of Stockholm 59° North

Kaho Yanagisawa is a distinguished Japanese dancer currently serving as a soloist with the Royal Swedish Ballet and the Artistic Director of Stockholm 59° North. Her international career gained momentum in 2013 when she became a prize winner at the Prix de Lausanne, leading to her professional training at The Royal Ballet School in London.

Since joining the Royal Swedish Ballet in 2016, Kaho has established herself as a versatile performer, earning her promotion to soloist in 2020. Her extensive repertoire spans classical masterpieces—including leading roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty—and demanding contemporary works. She has been critically acclaimed for her performances in pieces by Mats Ek (Julia & Romeo, Woman with Water), William Forsythe (Artifact Suite, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated), Ohad Naharin (Minus 16), and Alexander Ekman (Cacti, Midsummer Night’s Dream).

In 2019, Kaho reached a career milestone with a nomination for Best Female Dancer at the Benois de la Danse. Her technical excellence and artistic contribution have been further recognized with the Louise Gallodier Ballet Scholarship (2020). Beyond the stage, she is a dedicated educator, teaching at the BASE23 Alhanko Academy of Ballet and Vuxen Balett in Stockholm.

Gianmarco Romano

Gianmarco Romano is a distinguished Italian dancer and 2nd Soloist with the Royal Swedish Ballet. He began his professional journey after training at the prestigious Teatro alla Scala Ballet School in Milan, subsequently gaining international experience with the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich and the Finnish National Ballet. Since joining the Royal Swedish Ballet in 2019, Romano has established himself as a versatile and expressive performer. Following a season with the Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon (2024–2025), he has returned to Stockholm to continue his soloist career.

His extensive repertoire bridges the gap between grand classical traditions and cutting-edge contemporary works. He has performed iconic roles such as The Prince in Tamara Rojo’s Cinderella, Don José in Roland Petit’s Carmen, and Lescaut in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon. His classical mastery is further highlighted by performances in Swan Lake, Giselle, and Le Corsaire. On the contemporary stage, Romano has excelled in works by legendary choreographers including George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, and Mats Ek, showcasing his technical depth in productions ranging from In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated to Minus 16.

Boasting a brilliant history shaped by figures such as Jean Dauberval (in the 18th century) and Marius Petipa (in the 19th century), the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux consists of over thirty dancers and is among the leading classical companies in France. Since the 1990s, the company has successfully opened its classical heritage to modernity through collaboration with numerous choreographers. In addition to the classical repertoire (The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire…), the company performs productions inherited from the Ballets Russes (Nijinsky’s Afternoon of a Faun, Fokine’s Petrushka), as well as works by neo-classical and contemporary choreographers (Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, Carolyn Carlson, Angelin Preljocaj, Alexander Ekman, Sol León, and Paul Lightfoot). The Ballet performs both in France and abroad (most recently completing a major tour of China in the spring of 2024), appearing on prestigious stages as well as in priority neighborhoods for specific, tailor-made, and often participatory projects. The Ballet has received numerous awards, including the Herald Angels Award (Edinburgh International Festival), the Best Foreign Ballet Award in Cuba, and the prestigious Lifar Prize (2001 and 2014).

Clara Spitz

Trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School from 2009 to 2017, Clara Spitz refined her artistry through prestigious masterclasses at institutions like the Royal Ballet School and the San Francisco Ballet. During her time with the Paris Opera Ballet, she performed in notable works such as the Mazurka in Paquita, Patrice Bart’s La Petite Danseuse de Degas, and Roland Petit’s Rendez-vous. In August 2018, she joined the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux, where her repertoire expanded to include Angelin Preljocaj’s Snow White, Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée, Justin Peck’s Paz de la Jolla, and various works by masters such as Jiří Kylián, Alexander Ekman, and Sol León & Paul Lightfoot. Her recent career highlights include participating in the creations of Preljocaj’s Mythologies and Houston Thomas’s Skywatcher, as well as performing in Giselle and Pontus Lidberg’s The Shimmering Asphalt in 2023. Her most recent stage appearances include Golden Hour (March 2024), La Strada (November 2024), and a Sunday Concert scheduled for May 2026.

Simon Asselin

Formed at the Lille Conservatory, the Paris Opera Ballet School, and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse (CNSMD) de Paris, Simon Asselin graduated in 2020 and holds a Master’s degree in “Dancer-Interpreter – Repertoire and Creation.” Throughout his training, he collaborated with renowned figures such as Boris Charmatz, Maud Le Pladec, and Julian Nicosi, performing works by Merce Cunningham, George Balanchine, and William Forsythe. Since joining the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux in September 2021, he has performed in major productions including Angelin Preljocaj’s Snow White, Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour. A versatile artist, he participated in the creations of Mythologies and Skywatcher, and was awarded the Prix Clerc Milon de la Danse in October 2025. His recent and upcoming performances include Le Robot et le Danseur (October 2024), Music Room (January 2026), and a Sunday Concert scheduled for May 2026.

The Ballet of the Slovene National Theatre Maribor is Slovenia’s leading ballet company and one of the most distinctive dance ensembles in Central Europe. Renowned for its compelling blend of classical technique, neoclassical refinement, and contemporary expression, the company has developed a strong postmodern aesthetic that has significantly shaped its artistic identity and placed it firmly on the international dance map.

Under the artistic leadership of Edward Clug, the ensemble regularly collaborates with internationally acclaimed choreographers and guest artists, creating new productions each season and touring extensively worldwide. The company has appeared at major international festivals and venues, including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (USA), the Stars of the White Nights Festival at the Mariinsky Theatre (Russia), Arts Festival Singapore, Biarritz Festival (France), Dance Festival Tel Aviv (Israel), Festival Des Arts de Saint–Sauveur (Canada), Seoul International Dance Festival (Korea), Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá (Colombia), Hong Kong Arts Festival, and many others.

Today, the Ballet of SNT Maribor stands as an iconic cultural institution, proudly representing Slovenia on the international stage through artistic excellence, innovation, and a distinctive choreographic voice.

Asami Nakashima (Japan)

Trained at the Vienna State Opera Ballet School, Nakashima is a leading soloist of the Maribor Ballet. Her repertoire includes principal roles in classical works such as Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, and La Sylphide, as well as contemporary works by Ekman, Kylián, Inger, and Clug. She is a prizewinner at the Varna International Ballet Competition and the Rudolf Nureyev Competition.

Catarina de Meneses (Portugal)

Educated in Lisbon and Amsterdam, she joined the Maribor Ballet in 2008. She has distinguished herself in leading classical roles including Giselle, La Bayadère, Don Quixote, and Romeo and Juliet, alongside numerous contemporary creations. Recipient of several international awards for artistic excellence.

Yuya Omaki (Japan)

A graduate of the Ballet Academy Munich, Omaki combines technical brilliance with expressive clarity. Prizewinner at YAGP, Varna, and the Rudolf Nureyev Competition, he performs a wide repertoire spanning classical, neoclassical, and contemporary ballet.

Matteo Magalotti (Italy)

Trained at the Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy, Magalotti has performed with companies in Vienna and Hannover before joining Maribor Ballet. His repertoire ranges from classical ballet to contemporary works by Edward Clug, Valentina Turcu, and other prominent choreographers.

Sibiu Ballet Theatre, founded in 2008, is the first ballet company in Romania with an international ensemble, serving as an inspiring model for other national institutions in the country. Originally starting with a team of ten, it has grown into a dynamic company of 38 artists from all over the world—spanning from Europe and Canada to Australia and Japan. What distinguishes SBT within the Romanian dance scene is not only its cultural diversity but, above all, the exceptional technical and artistic quality of its performers.

Over its 17 years of activity, the company has achieved several landmark premieres that are unique within the Romanian cultural context. SBT is the only company in the country to feature a neoclassical ballet inspired by the works of Eugène Ionesco (Ionesco Trilogy) in its repertoire, and the first to stage a contemporary dance performance dedicated to the life and work of sculptor Constantin Brâncuși. The company has also innovatively adapted literary works, such as Dan Lungu’s novel I’m a Communist Old Woman!, into the form of dance-theatre.

The theatre’s current repertoire includes the essential pillars of classical ballet, such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty, complemented by neoclassical and modern productions. A significant pillar of SBT is the Geneza program, which since 2010 has supported a new generation of choreographers by providing them with a platform for their debut. Under the auspices of the Sibiu Municipal Culture House, the company carries out extensive annual projects and regularly represents Romanian culture on numerous international tours.

Alba Fernández Romero

Alba Fernández graduated in 2019 from the Mariemma Professional Dance Conservatory and, in 2016, continued her artistic development as a guest student at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos within the “Alicia Alonso” dance program. During her training, she participated in workshops and masterclasses with internationally recognized choreographers, consolidating both her classical technique and contemporary versatility.

Since joining Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, in 2019, she has performed numerous principal and soloist roles in classical and contemporary repertoire. Her leading roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Rock story (choreography by Marcello Algeri), Desdemona in Othello (Aleisha Gardner), Mercedes in Don Quixote, Anina in The Lady of the Camellias (Mehmet Balkan), and Gilda in Rigoletto (Valentin Barteș). She has also interpreted roles such as Snow White in Snow White, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, and performed as a soloist in La Fille mal gardée.

Her classical repertoire includes appearances in Swan Lake, La Bayadère, and Giselle, while her contemporary work features productions such as The Rite of Spring (Marcello Algeri), Bolero (Aleisha Gardner), and DinDor’Ndor by Gigi Căciuleanu.

Angelo Morgillo

Angelo Morgillo completed his professional training at the Ballet School of the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples (2017–2024), under the direction of Stéphane Fournial. During this period, he developed a strong classical foundation alongside versatility in contemporary dance, preparing him for a demanding and diverse repertoire.

While performing at Teatro di San Carlo, he appeared in major classical productions such as Raymonda (after Marius Petipa), Don Chisciotte (after Rudolf Nureyev and Marius Petipa), and Romeo e Giulietta (choreography by Kenneth MacMillan), gaining valuable stage experience within an internationally recognized institution.

Since joining Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, in 2024, he has interpreted both leading and soloist roles in a wide-ranging repertoire. His performances include the title role in Othello (choreography by Aleisha Gardner), Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Rock Story by Marcello Algeri, and soloist roles in La Sagra della Primavera (Marcello Algeri), Swan Lake (Andrei Litvinov), The Nutcracker (Valentin Barteș), The Four Seasons (Aleisha Gardner), and the role of Espada in Don Quixote (Mihail Babușka).

The Ballet de Catalunya is a professional company dedicated to the promotion and creation of classical and neoclassical dance, with a contemporary outlook and a strong international vocation. Based in Catalonia, it brings together a cast of dancers from diverse backgrounds, combining technical excellence, musicality, and a strong stage identity.

Under the artistic direction of Leo Sorribes, the company develops a repertoire that includes major classical ballets, neoclassical works, and gala programs, adapting to different formats such as theatres, festivals, and special productions. Its work is characterized by artistic care, high interpretative quality, and a commitment to bringing dance closer to new audiences.

Throughout its trajectory, Ballet de Catalunya has participated in various international projects and venues, including performances in New York, and has presented Stars of Ballet galas in emblematic spaces such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu, strengthening its presence in the cultural panorama and its connection between tradition and innovation.

Júlia Bihannic Garcia

Júlia Bihannic Garcia is a classically trained ballet dancer currently performing with the Ballet Nacional de Catalunya. She developed her artistic identity at the prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon in France, where she earned her DNSPD diploma in 2024 and performed with their Junior Ballet. Her technical background also includes training at the Ballettschule Theater Basel in Switzerland and intensive workshops focused on the works of masters such as Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, and George Balanchine.

In her repertoire, she combines classical technical precision with contemporary movement research, as demonstrated in works by world-renowned choreographers such as Sharon Eyal (Half Life), Jan Martens, and Katarzyna Kozielska. She regularly performs in key classical ballet titles, including The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Paquita. Her significant stage achievements include participating in the Gran Gala de Dansa at the Liceu in Barcelona and performing at the Diaghilev Festival in St. Petersburg. In addition to her dance mastery, Júlia is expanding her artistic horizons by studying Design and Digital Creation at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC), confirming her versatility and adaptability in the modern artistic environment.

David García Lucas

David García Lucas is a distinguished Spanish dancer who has been a member of Ballet de Catalunya since 2018. His professional foundation was built at prestigious institutions including the Institut del Teatre and the Centre de Dansa de Catalunya.

Throughout his career, David has earned significant international recognition, most notably winning First Prize at the Certamen Internacional de Danza Ciutat de Barcelona in 2017. His talent has been further acknowledged through numerous honors, including the ‘Premi Jujol’ First Prize and full scholarships to elite programs such as the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden, the IBStage Summer Program, and the International Ballet Masterclasses in Prague.

As a versatile performer, David has excelled in a wide range of roles. His repertoire includes the Principal role in The Nutcracker and the soloist role of Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. He has also performed soloist roles in neoclassical and contemporary works by choreographers from the Dutch National Ballet, as well as original creations for Ballet de Catalunya. In addition to his work with the company, he is frequently invited as a guest artist for international gala performances.

Tbilisi’s innovative dance company led by choreographer Mariam Aleksidze, was founded

with the support from Tbilisi City Hall in 2016 and named after great Georgian choreographer

Giorgi Aleksidze. The first contemporary ballet company in Georgia is notable for its special

quality, aesthetics, search for contemporary forms, artistic vision and original repertoire. The

excellence of Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet is the result of Company Director, Tbilisi State

University Professor David Maziashvili’s remarkable ideas and thorough knowledge in several spheres and Mariam Aleksidze’s artistic vision to maintain the unique style characteristic of the Georgian choreography and to present it in a contemporary way. The company unites dancers of distinctly individual, outstanding appearance and technical skills.

Giorgi Aleksidze Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet have made a significant contribution to the cause of developing and promoting contemporary choreography and dance in Georgia.

Mariam Darchia, is a Principal of Giorgi Aleksidze Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet. She joined

the Company as a Soloist in 2016 and was promoted to Principal in 2020. Mariam Darchia, after graduating from Vakhtang Chabukiani Choreographic School in Tbilisi, Georgia and Moscow Bolshoi Theatre Ballet School (Russia) in 2011, continued her studies at the Ballet Academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich (Germany). Since 2013, she has danced at Washington Ballet and Suzanne Farrell Ballet (USA). In 2013, she participated in the ballet contest Tanzolymp in Berlin, where she finished in the second

place and received a silver medal in the category of classical dance. In the same year, she

became a finalist of Youth America Grand Prix in New York. Mariam Darchia’s repertory with the Giorgi Aleksidze Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet Company includes Lead roles and solos. In 2020, Mariam Darchia created the title role in the dance film “Lucia’s Room” by Mariam Aleksidze and Prof. David Maziashvili and in 2021, she created an impressive character of Beatrice in Mariam Aleksidze’s contemporary ballet “Beatrice”.

The Nacho Duato Company is a young and dynamic ensemble founded through the close collaboration between world-renowned choreographer Nacho Duato and his former dancers. The primary mission of this ensemble is to preserve and develop Duato’s valuable artistic legacy, which has fundamentally influenced the history of contemporary dance, while simultaneously creating an inspiring space for the growth of a new generation of artists. The company does not focus merely on the simple preservation of a historical repertoire; it actively revitalizes it through the energy of new talents and by introducing fresh choreographies created specifically for this company.

A key pillar of the company is the pursuit of the highest artistic quality, which is guaranteed by the specialized Nacho Duato Trainee Program. This program ensures not only the continuity of the choreographer’s unique style but also serves as a platform for the professional preparation of future generations of dancers. In addition to artistic excellence, the Nacho Duato Company places great emphasis on social commitment; it strives to bring dance closer to a wide and diverse audience, thereby building meaningful cultural connections between creators and spectators worldwide.

Sharing the love of dance with a wide audience – that is the mission of the Introdans ensemble. Their first-class repertoire includes living dance heritage, contemporary classics for young audiences, inclusive encounters, and virtuosic new works by established (international) creators and emerging talent. Through their energetic, dynamic movement language and accessible programming, they appeal to a wide and diverse spectrum of viewers.

Introdans believes in the power of dance: they believe it opens new worlds and connects people to their imagination – and to one another. As a touring repertoire company, they have an influence not only in their region but also on a national and international scale; they perform in cities such as New York, Osaka, London, and Durban, as well as in their home city of Arnhem.

Ever since the ensemble’s founding in 1971, Introdans has utilized the power of dance for the benefit of society. This intrinsic motivation is part of their DNA – as is the belief that everyone deserves to be seen for who they are. This is reflected in their top-tier repertoire and in their interactive projects. Over the past 25 years, Introdans has been a driving force and innovator of inclusive and participatory practices, sparking a movement that has become an integral part of the dance landscape. Their ambition is to further embed high-quality inclusive dance into their regular programming.

Through their interactive and educational activities, they share the power of dance every year with thousands of schoolchildren, young people, local residents, people disadvantaged in the labor market, vulnerable seniors, and persons with intellectual or physical disabilities. The Introdans ensemble is convinced that everyone can dance!

Ruben Amelingde Leeuw trained at the Royal Ballet School in Antwerp and Codarts in Rotterdam. He has been a dancer with Introdans since 2012, working with leading international choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Lucinda Childs, Inbal Pinto and many others. Known for his perfectionism and artistic flair, Ruben sees his body as an instrument for creating beauty, continuously striving for technical and expressive excellence on stage.

Giuseppe Calabrese trained at the Scuola di Danza del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and at Codarts in Rotterdam. He began his professional career with Astra Roma Ballet in Rome and later moved to the Netherlands to continue his studies and broaden his experience in modern dance. After completing an internship at Introdans, he joined the company as a dancer in 2013, performing a wide range of repertoire and developing a particular affinity for contemporary and modern works. In 2025, he expanded his role at Introdans to include work as a repetitor, supporting the company in rehearsals and helping dancers refine both technical and artistic aspects of their performance.