Dutch National's Junior Company sets ballet to new rhythms

Jenson Blight in Mthuthuzeli November’s In Your Footsteps

Darius-Oriol Tamosi, Edward Cooley and Javier Cubero in George Balanchine's Allegro Brilliante

John Murch and Rosa Lidia Cabrera Nuesi in Joshua Junker's You do not have to be good

John Murch and Léa Sauvignon in Arielle Smith's Duo

Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company in Mthuthuzeli November's In Your Footsteps

By Mark Vicente, 25 January 2026

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“in short, these young dancers are often the stars of tomorrow”

Reviewed at International Theater: Grote Zaal, Amsterdam on 23 January 2026

You do not have to be good (world premiere) (Joshua Junker)

Allegro Brillante (Dutch premiere) (George Balanchine)

Duo (world premiere) (Arielle Smith)

In Your Footsteps (world premiere) (Mthuthuzeli November)

Dutch National Ballet's Junior Company

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Ballet Nights is an ambitious dance project that began two and a half years ago and was the brainchild of founder, Jamiel Devernay-Laurence. Lots to applaud while celebrating its tenth programme.

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****1

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Deborah Weiss, 31st May

“Ballet Nights: New Voices” proves a hit in an unlikely venue in Ministry of Sound. Watch this space!

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Deborah Weiss, 15th February

Four world premieres and four main stage debuts provides genuine hope for the future of choreography.

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Mark Vicente

Mark Vicente hails from Montreal, Canada and has lived in Amsterdam for the last 10 years. He has over 30 years of experience in the arts and entertainment industry. Mark graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School and was in the corps de ballet with The National Ballet of Canada. He also performed in the Toronto production of Disney’s The Lion King and spent two seasons at The Stratford Festival of Canada. Presently, Mark is completing his MA in Comparative Cultural Analysis at the University of Amsterdam. His Substack, Lives After Dark, focuses on creative fiction and reflective essays on Amsterdam’s nightlife scene.

Dutch National's Junior Company sets ballet to new rhythms with Ballet Beats