Jan McNulty Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Viviana Durante steps down as Artistic Director of English National Ballet School. English National Ballet School announces that Viviana Durante, Artistic Director, has informed the Board of Governors that she has decided to step down at the end of the current academic year. Viviana will be leaving after five very successful years at the artistic helm of the School. Ms Durante said: "It has been a privilege to lead and guide the artistic development of the School for the past five years. It has been a joy to work with five cohorts of exceptional dancers, and to witness their growth as talented and creative artists. "The artistic, educational, healthcare, executive and operational team I have worked with are dedicated and talented, and we have created a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment to empower the students. "We have been blessed to have enjoyed the support of English National Ballet1, and many sponsors, donors, partner organisations, and visiting choreographers and teachers. Together with all involved at the School, their commitment has enabled us to provide our students with a wealth of opportunities that place us amongst the world's leading ballet schools. "Having had the opportunity to bring fresh ideas for training and collaboration to the School, I very much look forward to seeing the future success of the School. We have been able to introduce new courses including our graduate trainee programme, innovate in the field of dance and healthcare, and we have strengthened our international reputation. I wish all involved at the School the very best." Viviana will continue to lead the School's artistic streams through the summer performances in July. The ENBS Board said: "Viviana has provided exceptional artistic leadership and has co-led the School through a time of significant challenge and change. Her vision and ability to create opportunities for our students is remarkable. We very much look forward to continuing to work with Viviana for the rest of this school year. She will leave with our thanks and very best wishes." In addition to the summer performances in July, Viviana will be at the Prix de Lausanne with third year students Gabriel Pimparel, who has been selected as a Prix candidate by the esteemed judging panel, and Lana Klemen, who will participate in the choreography section of the elite dance competition. In her tenure, Ms Durante has helped ensure that ENBS students benefited from unrivalled performance opportunities, most recently being the only school in the UK and Europe to perform Sir Frederick Ashton's Romeo and Juliet, as well as the only school in the UK and Europe to be permitted to perform a work by Pina Bausch: both of which will be staged this July. Recruitment plans will be announced in due course. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Interesting timing….wonder if there’s a move to another very well know UK establishment….??? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Maybe time for the vision of having ENBS and the company co-located at City Island to be realised? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 That will be a blow for ENBS though. She seemed to be doing such a great job there. One shouldn’t speculate but if there is a move to another well known Ballet establishment at least you know they will be in a very good pair of hands!! I really hope ENBS can find a replacement equal to Viviane but won’t be easy. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieN Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 She was doing a fantastic job as ENBS, and will be sorely missed! Wherever she goes, I'm sure she'll be successful. I wouldn't like to speculate where she's going.... But I hope that the other prominent person "stepping down" stays well away from ENBS. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpideyDad Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 (edited) 32 minutes ago, LinMM said: That will be a blow for ENBS though. She seemed to be doing such a great job there. One shouldn’t speculate but if there is a move to another well known Ballet establishment at least you know they will be in a very good pair of hands!! I really hope ENBS can find a replacement equal to Viviane but won’t be easy. I guess that it's the timings that lead us to that speculation: all will be revealed in time. Viviana is doing an incredible job at ENBS and will be sorely missed. Before their Winter Showcase, this year, she gave all the Students some performance polishing from her unique perspective: my DD was fortunate enough to have some help from her, with a solo she performed. Admittedly, DD was a bit sceptical as she was given a tweak here, a timing change there: but on reviewing the videos, the difference was like day and night. Trusting her excellent teaching staff, hands on where needed. I'm sure that all the students can tell a similar story. Of course, thoughts move on to who might be the next AD... Edited January 22 by SpideyDad 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 A bit sceptical ? You can't be sceptical when you have the honor of working with an artist and ballerina like Viviana Durante ! There are some incredible things happening with this new generation.... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpideyDad Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 5 minutes ago, MAX said: A bit sceptical ? You can't be sceptical when you have the honor of working with an artist and ballerina like Viviana Durante ! There are some incredible things happening with this new generation.... Exactly this! Exciting times! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 4 hours ago, Peanut68 said: Interesting timing….wonder if there’s a move to another very well know UK establishment….??? A number of people have jumped to this conclusion on this thread. I don’t know anything but surely one doesn’t need to have no job in order to apply for one, never mind one that hasn’t even been advertised yet. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/2024/01/16/the-royal-ballet-school-to-appoint-ceo-alongside-artistic-director/ "The search for the CEO has begun, and the search for the next Artistic Director will follow soon. The School is working with Will Pringle at Berwick Partners (an Odgers Berndtson company)." 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theunderdog Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Like an Eastenders Christmas plot....who's next, who dunnit. It will all come out in the wash. Keeps the ballet world interesting 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 1 hour ago, Geoff said: A number of people have jumped to this conclusion on this thread. I don’t know anything but surely one doesn’t need to have no job in order to apply for one, never mind one that hasn’t even been advertised yet. Unless a new job offer has been made, it's never a good plan to jump the ship you're sailing on already. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 6 hours ago, Peanut68 said: Interesting timing….wonder if there’s a move to another very well know UK establishment….??? I can't imagine that the timings would coincide, so I doubt it. I can't believe she's been there five years already - wasn't hers supposed to be a stopgap appointment? And ENBS doing the Ashton R&J this summer? Count me in! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 A rather large number of prestigious dance schools seem to be searching for heads this year - RB - ENBS - Dutch National Academy - Palucca - Australian Ballet School - National Ballet School of Canada Others? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerfuffle Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Very interesting to hear that Fiona, I wonder if it’s a coincidence or a sign of change in the ballet world in general? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Or moves being delayed by lockdown and the aftermath. Companies and schools have had time to get back to normal, so now people can move in good conscience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerfuffle Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Interesting point Colman, I imagine it was a very difficult period to navigate so perhaps they need to move on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I can imagine both people delaying leaving until after they’d got things back onto an even keel and being burned out after the mayhem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) If Viviana Durante is moving to be head of another school, it would be lovely if it were in the UK rather than abroad, although any establishment would benefit a lot from having her- she is an inspiring coach and a very experienced former ballerina who danced all the major roles (including 2 full length performances as Manon in Manon on the same day.....with different partners!). I wish ENBS all the very best in their search for a new artistic director who can be equally inspiring and beneficial to the students as she has been, or even more so. The school and its graduates are achieving great things. Ooh, exciting times! Edited January 23 by Emeralds 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Good points Colman which I think is generally replicated in all industries…. Certainly seen more movement in things like normal schools with changes of Heads or Acting Heads now become the official headteacher. Think also people feel more able to commit to geographical moves too now so necessarily changing jobs 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdy Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 At Dutch the current head of the school is also head of the junior company. He is staying at Dutch but is taking on a new role of Talent Development and will remain AD of the junior company. So not moving on as much as moving up. But they are looking for a new person to lead the school. He is a wonderful teacher and extremely supportive and engaged leader, so his shoes will be hard to fill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neverdancedjustamum Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 10 minutes ago, Birdy said: At Dutch the current head of the school is also head of the junior company. He is staying at Dutch but is taking on a new role of Talent Development and will remain AD of the junior company. So not moving on as much as moving up. But they are looking for a new person to lead the school. He is a wonderful teacher and extremely supportive and engaged leader, so his shoes will be hard to fill. I have heard the same from acquaintances whose children attend/attended the school. Nothing but good words for him and his leadership. Very refreshing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theunderdog Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 On 23/01/2024 at 03:15, FionaM said: A rather large number of prestigious dance schools seem to be searching for heads this year - RB - ENBS - Dutch National Academy - Palucca - Australian Ballet School - National Ballet School of Canada Others? Its sad this is happening just as school auditions are happening. Like league football transfer window but at the wrong time imo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 6 hours ago, theunderdog said: Its sad this is happening just as school auditions are happening. Like league football transfer window but at the wrong time imo. I would assume that, as with many such jobs, at least 6 months notice would be required to give time for the next incumbent to be found. Once the job is advertised the cat is out of the bag so all they have done is make the announcement before advertising the job and causing even more speculation. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 I know someone who was approached to take over the position several weeks ago. Well before the official announcement of Mrs Durante's departure was made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 9 hours ago, MAX said: Well before the official announcement of Mrs Durante's departure was made. Please. Mrs Cliff or Miss Durante or Ms Durante. Not Mrs Durante. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 (edited) Oh apologies, difficult sometimes for a french man ! I guess you would have the same kind of problems if participating on a french dance forum. Edited January 28 by MAX 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 Well I had no idea she was Mrs. Cliff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophoife Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 3 hours ago, MAX said: Oh apologies, difficult sometimes for a french man ! I guess you would have the same kind of problems if participating on a french dance forum. 🤣 Le seul fois que j'ai rencontré Aurélie Dupont, j'ai dis "Madame!" The only time I met Aurélie Dupont (at stage door at the ROH in 2017, I was leaving a note for someone, she was waiting for security to finish with me), I just said "Madame!" and then babbled something about Hannah O'Neill. To which she replied graciously. I got out of her way ASAP, I mean, Aurélie Dupont ! I didn't call her Madame Dupont, but Madame. She's Mademoiselle Dupont professionally, and Madame Bélingard (I think, still) privately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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