Dame Darcey Bussell to teach at Summer Intensive in Leeds

Dame Darcey Bussell to teach at the Academy of Northern Ballet’s 2026 Summer Intensive in Leeds

The Academy of Northern Ballet will welcome former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Darcey Bussell DBE to its teaching faculty for the 2026 International Summer Intensive.

One of Britain’s most celebrated ballerinas, Bussell rose to fame as a Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, where she performed many of the company’s leading roles and became one of the defining dancers of her generation. Since her retirement from the stage, Bussell has remained a prominent figure in the arts, advocating for dance education. She is also a longtime colleague of Federico Bonelli, Artistic Director of Northern Ballet, with whom she shared the stage during their time at The Royal Ballet.

Held at Northern Ballet’s headquarters in Leeds, the International Summer Intensive offers aspiring dancers aged 12 – 19 the opportunity to train in daily technique, repertoire and enhancement classes, providing a unique insight into life as a professional dancer. Students will leave feeling prepared for upcoming auditions or further vocational training.

Bussell will teach the Senior Level students on 30 and 31 July during the first week of the Summer Intensive. Her sessions will include a women’s variations class as well as repertoire and pas de deux classes, taught alongside Northern Ballet Artistic Director Federico Bonelli.

Intermediate Level students will also have the opportunity to meet Bussell and learn about her career and what it’s like to be a professional dancer during an exclusive Q&A session.