Born: 1964 (Rockhampton, Queensland)
Leanne Faye Benjamin AM OBE (born 13 July 1964) is a retired Australian ballet dancer who was a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet in London.
Biography:
Leanne Benjamin was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, to parents Jill and Bernie Benjamin. From a very young age, Benjamin showed a great passion for dance and began ballet lessons at the age of three at a local dance school. Her talent and dedication to the art form quickly became evident, and by the time she reached high school, she had already attended The Range Convent and High School.
In 1980, at the age of 16, Benjamin’s exceptional talent was recognized when she was accepted into the prestigious Royal Ballet School. During her time at the Royal Ballet School, she trained under the guidance of renowned ballet teacher Mona Vangsaae. Within just one year, Benjamin made a name for herself by winning two prestigious awards: the Adeline Genée Gold Medal and the Prix de Lausanne. These accomplishments marked the beginning of an extraordinary career in ballet.
Upon graduating from the Royal Ballet School, Benjamin joined the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) in 1983. Her incredible talent and technical prowess quickly propelled her to become a principal dancer in 1987. The following year, she joined the London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) under the direction of Peter Schaufuss, who happened to be Mona Vangsaae’s son.
In 1990, Benjamin embarked on a new chapter in her career, moving to Berlin to join the Deutsche Oper Ballet. During her time in Berlin, she had the opportunity to work closely with acclaimed choreographer Kenneth MacMillan on his piece, Different Drummer. MacMillan’s influence on Benjamin’s artistic development was profound and sparked a strong connection between the two of them.
Encouraged by MacMillan, Benjamin made the decision to join The Royal Ballet as a First Soloist in 1992. Her company debut was in the role of Mary Vetsera in Mayerling. Tragically, MacMillan passed away shortly before Benjamin’s debut, making the performance even more poignant. Benjamin quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to principal dancer the following year.
Throughout her career, Leanne Benjamin became best known for her captivating performances in works by MacMillan. She had the privilege of working with ballet luminaries such as Ninette de Valois, the founder of the Royal Ballet, and Frederick Ashton, the company’s founding choreographer. Benjamin’s versatility and artistry also led her to collaborate with other renowned choreographers, including Christopher Wheeldon and Wayne McGregor. She even had the opportunity to perform with Wheeldon’s own company, Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company.
Benjamin’s repertoire spanned a wide range of classical and contemporary ballets. She enchanted audiences with her portrayal of iconic characters such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. She also excelled in roles in Nikiya, Kitri, Swanilda, The Firebird, Cinderella, Lise, Titania, Manon, Anastasia, and Juliet in both Ashton and MacMillan’s interpretations of Romeo and Juliet. Benjamin’s technical brilliance and emotional depth captivated audiences in each performance.
Leanne Benjamin’s contribution to ballet was recognized and celebrated with numerous awards and accolades. In 2004 and 2009, she was honored with the National Dance Award for Best Female Dancer. Her exceptional talent, dedication, and artistry have left an indelible mark on the world of ballet.
After two decades with the Royal Ballet, Leanne Benjamin retired from the stage in 2013. She fittingly chose to reprise her first role with the company, Mary Vetsera in Mayerling, as her final performance. Her retirement marked the end of a remarkable career that has left a lasting legacy in the world of ballet.
Awards:
– Adeline Genée Gold Medal
– Prix de Lausanne
– National Dance Award for Best Female Dancer (2004, 2009)