Celebrating Success: Former Hammond School Dance Student Arielle Smith to Choreograph 'The Nutcracker' for English National Ballet 🩰

We are delighted to announce that Arielle Smith, a former Hammond School Dance student and Olivier Award winner, will be choreographing a brand new production of 'The Nutcracker' alongside English National Ballet's Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, this year.

Arielle's talent and creativity have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Olivier Award for her creation 'Jolly Folly,' also for The English National Ballet. Her remarkable contributions to the arts industry have been recognized by The Stage 25 list, naming her one of 25 individuals destined to become future stars of the UK theatre scene. Additionally, she was featured on The Guardian's ones to watch for 2022.

With an impressive portfolio of theatre credits, including productions like 'Carmen' with the San Francisco Ballet, 'Unexpected Twist' on a UK Tour, and 'Jack and the Beanstalk' at Lyric Hammersmith, directed by John Caird, Arielle has solidified her reputation as a dynamic force in the world of dance and theatre.

Arielle's choreographic prowess extends beyond the stage, with commissions from major ballet companies worldwide, including Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, where she served as Associate Choreographer on 'Romeo & Juliet.' Her diverse body of work, which includes projects like 'Lots.Of.Varied.Expectations' and 'Mañana Iguana,' showcases her versatility and innovation as a choreographer.

As we witness Arielle's career reach new heights, we are reminded of the privilege it is to have been a part of her journey. At The Hammond, we take immense pride in nurturing the talents of our students and watching them flourish on a global stage.

🌟 Share Your Industry News with Us! 🌟

If you're a graduate of The Hammond, from any course, and have exciting industry news to share, we want to hear from you! Whether you've landed a coveted role, received an award, or embarked on an exciting project, we invite you to share your updates with us.

Simply fill in the form on our alumni destinations page or drop us a DM on Instagram to let us know about your latest accomplishments. Your success stories inspire our community and showcase the incredible talent that emanates from The Hammond.

Visit thehammond.co.uk/alumni-destinations to submit your news and stay connected with fellow graduates.

Thank you for being part of The Hammond family, and congratulations again to Arielle Smith on her outstanding achievements! ❤️