Kevin O'Hare

Kevin Patrick O'Hare, CBE, (born 14 September 1965) is a British retired ballet dancer and current Director of The Royal Ballet. He succeeded Monica Mason in the role in 2012.

Early life O’Hare was born in Kingston upon Hull to Northern Irish parents, Michael and Vera. He trained locally alongside elder siblings Anne and Michael while attending St Charles's RC Primary School and St Thomas More RC School in Hull.

Early engagements include appearing with his brother Michael in Bugsy Malone. Aged 11 he followed Michael to train at the Royal Ballet School. He trained through the School and on an exchange programme with Royal Danish Ballet. He graduated in 1984 and that year danced Prince Florimund from The Sleeping Beauty with fellow graduate Viviana Durante at the School's annual matinee.

Dance career In 1984 O’Hare graduated into Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, joining his brother Michael (who is now Ballet Master of the company). He made his first major role debut as Albrecht in his third year with the company and was promoted to principal in 1988, His repertoire included classical roles, such as Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake), Prince Florimund (The Sleeping Beauty), Albrecht (Giselle) and Romeo (in BRB's first performance of Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet).

Post-dance career O’Hare retired as a dancer in 2000. He trained in company management with the Royal Shakespeare Company for nine months and supported the company's first performances in the O2.

On his appointment as director O’Hare announced his intention 'to bring together the most talented artists of the 21st century to collaborate on the same stage – world-class dancers, choreographers, designers and musicians', In 2013 O'Hare announced his goal of commissioning a new three-act ballet each year. In 2015 he announced new choreography would be the focus on the 2015/16 season, featuring new works from McGregor, Wheeldon, Scarlett, Will Tuckett and Carlos Acosta, and the launching of the Young Choreographers Programme with inaugural member Charlotte Edmonds.

O'Hare was appointed to the board of Dance UK in 2013,