LBC Dame Ninette Awards 2025

LBC Dame Ninette Awards 2025

The LBC Dame Ninette Awards are presented each year to The Royal Ballet School’s outstanding male and female graduates. This year’s recipients were Aurora Chinchilla and Ptolemy Gidney.

LBC members may have seen the aptly name Aurora dance the eponymous role in this year’s school performances (and she performed very beautifully). Aurora has joined the Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme at The Royal Ballet so those of us in the UK will be able to follow her career. Aurora wrote:

‘It is an honour to be receiving this award amongst many prior recipients and alongside a very outstanding class. I have worked very hard over the last three years and developed not only as a dancer, but as a person. I have truly grown to appreciate this art from in many ways. I look forward to bringing my work ethic and passion into my future career.’

Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to see Ptolemy dance as he had already left to join the American Ballet Theatre Studio. Ptolemy sent us this message:

‘I’m deeply honoured to receive the Ninette De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement from the London Ballet Circle. To be recognised in the name of such a visionary figure in ballet is incredibly meaningful, and it’s a moment I will carry with me always. This award is a reflection of the hard work, passion, and support that have shaped my journey so far. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to be joining the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, where I hope to grow as both an artist and a person. This next chapter is full of possibility, and I’m excited to continue learning, performing, and embracing the challenges that come with this beautiful art form.’