First Soloist
Rachael is from Swindon and joined Northern Ballet in 2007. She trained with the Judith Hockaday School and Central School of Ballet. Her previous companies include Scottish Ballet and Ballet Central.
Rachael is sponsored by Louise & Philip Keller.
Learn more about Rachael
Where were you born and raised?
Swindon, Wiltshire.
At what age did you start dancing?
3 years of age.
Where did you train?
Judith Hockaday School of Dance and Drama (Swindon) and Central School of Ballet.
Previous companies
Scottish Ballet and Ballet Central.
Awards/nominations/prizes
First place at ISTD Ballet awards.
Favourite Northern Ballet roles/which Northern Ballet role would you most like to dance?
My favourite Northern Ballet roles are Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Clara (The Nutcracker), Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), Young Cathy (Wuthering Heights) and Wendy (Peter Pan). I would most like to dance Cleopatra (Cleopatra), Giselle (Giselle) and Ophelia (Hamlet).
Career highlights
Performing Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on opening night.
If you could adapt one work into a ballet what would it be?
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin or The Seven Sisters, a Chinese legend.
How do you like to relax?
Spending time with family and friends or doing yoga.
Photos taken by Emma Kauldhar, Emily Nuttall, Riku Ito, Caroline Holden, and Guy Farrow.