When Timothée Chalamet recently remarked, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey! Keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore,’” he touched on a question many arts organisations are grappling with.
So what does relevance look like for ballet, opera and other classical artforms today? And how do we move beyond simply preserving traditions to creating meaningful experiences that resonate with young people?
This isn't just a conversation about ballet and opera.
It's a conversation about:
- Reaching new audiences
- Engaging young people
- Balancing tradition and innovation
- Building a sustainable future for culture
- Remaining relevant, accessible and inspiring for young people while maintaining artistic excellence and heritage
Join the discussion.
In this online Cultural Sector Masterclass session, you will hear from:
- Tina Ramdeen – Director of Learning and Participation at Royal Ballet and Opera.
Tina has recently joined Royal Ballet and Opera after being Associate Director of Young People at the Roundhouse. Tina is passionate about equitable access to creative opportunities, diversifying the creative industries and empowering young people through creativity.
- Sonia Hyams - Executive Director at Pegasus Opera
Executive Director at Pegasus Opera. Sonia brings over 25 years’ experience in the arts and cultural sector, with previous leadership roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Unicorn Theatre and The Old Vic
- Tom Rogers, Head of Creative and Content, Birmingham Royal Ballet
A former BRB soloist dancer of 18 years, Tom now leads the organisation's award-winning digital content and innovation work, combining expertise in performance, creative technology and audience engagement.
- Lauren Monaghan‑Pisano - Director of Strategy and Partnerships at ENO and London Coliseum
This Masterclass series will be hosted by Clare Murphy, a storyteller, speaker and consultant who brings the ancient art of story firmly into the contemporary world where it belongs.
This event may be particularly relevant for anyone who is interested in:
- Working with children and young people in creative settings
- The future of culture and the arts
- Ballet, opera, and traditional artforms
- Making programmes accessible, inclusive and relevant
What You'll Gain
- Insights from peers working across ballet and opera with children and young people
- Examples of successful youth-focused initiatives and programmes
- Perspectives on accessibility, participation and representation
- A deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing traditional artforms today
- An opportunity to reflect on what the future of arts engagement could look like
This free CPD is a part of A New Direction's Cultural Sector Masterclass 2026-27 series for creative learning professionals to reflect upon and strengthen your practice. This session is only available online and won't be recorded.
Find out more: www.anewdirection.org.uk/training-cpd/cultural-sector-masterclasses
