Royal Ballet School Welcomes Itziar Mendizabal as New Ballet Teacher in 2025

Royal Ballet School Welcomes Itziar Mendizabal as New Faculty Member

The Royal Ballet School has officially announced the appointment of Itziar Mendizabal, a distinguished First Soloist with The Royal Ballet, as a ballet instructor for the Upper School starting September 2025. This marked transition from the dance stage to the classroom comes after Mendizabal's impressive 15-year career performing in various leading roles.

Having recently concluded her remarkable performance as the Queen of Hearts in Christopher Wheeldon’s ballet adaptation of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" on June 28, 2025, Mendizabal’s addition to the teaching staff is a testament to the Royal Ballet School’s commitment to enriching its artistic faculty with world-class talent.

Iain Mackay, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, expressed excitement about Mendizabal joining the team. He remarked, “We are delighted to welcome Itziar to The Royal Ballet School as a teacher at Upper School. Her extensive stage experience, artistic insights, and profound understanding of both classical and contemporary ballet will be incredibly valuable for our students.”

Born in Hondarribia, in Spain's Basque Country, Mendizabal's dance journey began at the tender age of four. She trained at the renowned Elvira Ubierna and Víctor Ullate ballet schools. Mendizabal's professional career kicked off with Víctor Ullate Ballet Comunidad de Madrid back in 1997, followed by a demi-soloist position at Zürich Ballet in 2003 and later a soloist role at Leipzig Ballet in 2006, where she was promoted to principal dancer in 2008.

In 2010, her career reached a new pinnacle when she joined The Royal Ballet as a First Soloist, following an audition invitation from the then-artistic director Monica Mason based on a recommendation. Over the years, Mendizabal has taken center stage in various prestigious works, portraying characters such as the Firebird, Myrtha in "Giselle," Carabosse and the Lilac Fairy in "The Sleeping Beauty," Tatiana in "Onegin," and, of course, the Queen of Hearts.

Her accolades include an esteemed nomination for the Prix Benois de la Danse in 2009, alongside a Best New Artist accolade from the Asociación de Profesionales de Danza de Guipúzcoa. Additionally, Mendizabal received the Amigo de Honor award from Casa de la Danza de Logrono in 2022, further establishing her as a celebrated artist in the world of ballet.

Equipped with a solid background in teaching, Mendizabal completed The Royal Ballet School’s Professional Dancers Teachers Course in 2014, alongside obtaining the French teaching qualification, the Diplôme d'État de Professeur de Danse. She has also served as a guest teacher at the School’s Intensive Courses, demonstrating her dedication to nurturing the next generation of ballet dancers.

In her own words, Mendizabal shares her sentiments regarding her new role: “I am filled with immense gratitude for all the opportunities I received at The Royal Ballet, a place that has been more than a stage or a workplace; it has been my home for the past 15 years. Teaching has been a long-standing passion of mine, and I feel truly honored and privileged to be part of such a remarkable institution.”

This appointment underscores the Royal Ballet School’s strategic vision of incorporating active and recently retired professional dancers into its educational framework. Mackay highlighted Mendizabal’s impactful role in their Artistic team as a guest teacher, reinforcing her commitment and passion for inspiring upcoming talent in the ballet community.

Founded in 1926 by Dame Ninette de Valois, The Royal Ballet School has consistently proven itself as a premier institution for classical ballet education. Its graduates frequently advance to esteemed companies, including The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. With its Upper School situated in Covent Garden, the school offers pre-professional training for dancers aged 16 to 19, ensuring a bright future for those in the world of ballet.

With Mendizabal on board, the Royal Ballet School anticipates further enriching its legacy and enhancing the artistry of its students, blending years of performance experience with quality instruction.