Kevin O'Hare

Kevin O'Hare (b. 13 Sept 1965)[1] is a British former ballet dancer, who is now the Director of The Royal Ballet.[2]

Biography

O'Hare was born to Irish parents in Kingston upon Hull,[3] where he trained at the Vera Skelton School of Dance. He also attended classes with Louise Browne, at what would become known as the Louise Browne Yorkshire Ballet Scholarship centre. His elder sister Anne and brother Michael O'Hare, who is now Ballet Master at Birmingham Royal Ballet, also attended dance classes.[4]

As a child, O'Hare and his brother appeared in the film Bugsy Malone with Jodie Foster.[5]

He trained at The Royal Ballet School[6] and joined the then Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1984. He was promoted to Principal in 1990 and remained with the company, which was by then Birmingham Royal Ballet, until his retirement from dancing in 2000. He danced all the major principal roles from Prince Siegfried to Colas, and worked with Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, David Bintley and Peter Wright. He decided to retire on his 35th birthday.[7]

On his retirement from dancing, O'Hare studied company management and worked at The Royal Shakespeare Company, returning to Birmingham Royal Ballet as Company Manager in 2001.[8][9]

O'Hare moved to The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House in the same role of Company Manager in 2004. He replaced Anthony Russell-Roberts as the Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet in 2009.[10] Upon his appointment, Monica Mason, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet, said “I’m delighted that Kevin will be succeeding Anthony in the position of Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet. Kevin has a long history with the Company and will bring his knowledge, skills, passion and commitment to this important position.”"[11]

Since working for The Royal Ballet, O'Hare has been involved in their first performances in Cuba, when the company performed in Havana in July 2009.[12][13]

O'Hare was appointed to the position of Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet, following Dame Monica Mason's retirement, in July 2012.[14]

Career and repertoire

In his career, O'Hare took on many roles including leading roles in:

References

  1. ↑ "Weekend birthdays". The Guardian (Guardian News & Media). 12 Sep 2014. p. 55.
  2. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/jun/14/kevin-ohare-royal-ballet-director
  3. ↑ The London Ballet Circle Retrieved 16 June 2011
  4. ↑ ballet.co.uk Retrieved 12 December 2009
  5. ↑ The Guardian Article - 18 August 2002 Retrieved 12 December 2009
  6. ↑ Royal Ballet School Alumni Page Retrieved 12 December
  7. ↑ Interview with Miyako Yoshida and Kevin O'Hare by David Bain for The Ballet Association Retrieved 28 December 2009
  8. ↑ ballet.co.uk Retrieved 12 December
  9. ↑ The Guardian Article 18 August 2002 Retrieved 12 December
  10. ↑ The Ballet Association Website Retrieved 12 December
  11. ↑ ballet.co.uk news Retrieved 12 December
  12. ↑ CBS news Article 16 July 2009 Retrieved 12 December
  13. ↑ Reuters Article Retrieved 12 December
  14. ↑ Kevin O'Hare, The Royal Opera House, 2014, retrieved 13 Sep 2014
  15. ↑ Interview with Miyako Yoshida and Kevin O'Hare by David Bain for The Ballet Association Retrieved 28 December 2009
  16. ↑ Birmingham Royal Ballet Online Shop Retrieved 28 December 2009

External links