The Royal Ballet School has appointed internationally renowned dancer, choreographer and Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta to its Board of Governors.

Born in Havana, in 1973, Carlos Acosta trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba.

After winning a succession of awards, including the Prix de Lausanne in 1990, he went on to dance professionally with the world’s most prestigious companies, including English National Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, American Ballet Theatre, and Houston Ballet. He made his home at The Royal Ballet in 1998.

He has danced principal roles in most of the major classical ballets, from Spartacus to Romeo, and has performed as a guest artist in virtually every corner of the world.

Carlos Acosta created many award-winning shows throughout his ballet career including Tocororo and Carlos Acosta and Friends of The Royal Ballet.

Carlos Acosta was recognized in the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List in 2014 when he was awarded a CBE. In the National Dance Awards 2015, he was awarded the De Valois Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Carlos retired from The Royal Ballet stage in 2015 with his own version of Carmen.

Cuba, its culture and history have been important influences throughout his career and continue to be so following his establishment of his own dance company, Acosta Danza, in 2016. The company tours the world with its vibrant combination of classical and contemporary, fused with Cuban elements of dance. In 2017 Carlos opened his first Dance Academy through the Carlos Acosta International Dance Foundation.

In 2018 Carlos Acosta received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award from the Royal Academy of Dance, in recognition of his standing as one of the most influential figures in dance today, and in 2019 the Critics’ Circle Annual Award for Outstanding Services to the Arts.

In 2018, the film Yuli – telling the story of his humble beginnings and ballet career – attracted great public and critical acclaim.

Carlos Acosta became Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in January 2020.

On Carlos Acosta’s new appointment to the Board of Governors of The Royal Ballet School, Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman of The Royal Ballet School, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Carlos Acosta to The Royal Ballet School’s Board of Governors, and know that he will bring a passion for dance and a clear vision for its future to the School. His perspective as the new Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet will be invaluable in helping the School to maintain its crucial relationship with his company’.

Christopher Powney, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, said: ‘I am thrilled that Carlos Acosta will bring his energy and commitment to dance to The Royal Ballet School. His appointment is a celebration of the long-standing ties between the School and Birmingham Royal Ballet – a company that so many of our talented students have made their home. I look forward to working with Carlos as the Director of one of our great companies and also receiving his support as a Governor. He will continue to be an inspiration to our young dancers and play a key role in helping us to successfully steer the future of the School’.

Carlos Acosta CBE said: ‘I’m delighted to have been invited to join The Royal Ballet School’s Board of Governors and look forward to bringing a wider perspective to the School’s direction and future plans. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s presence and influence on the Board brings a golden opportunity to celebrate our historic relationship with The Royal Ballet School’.