Dutch National Ballet Academy appoints new Artistic Director
- Ikuko
- Dec 20, 2025
- 1 min read
Dario Elia has been appointed as the next Artistic Director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy effective 1st February 2026, the management of the Academy of Theatre and Dance at the Amsterdam University of the Arts announced on 19th December 2025.
The Italian Elia will succeed Ernst Meisner, who will step down as the academy's Artistic Director on 1st February and become Artistic Director of the Dutch National Ballet in August 2026.
Italian Elia started dancing at the school Artedanza in Catanzaro in Italy, followed by his professional ballet training at Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, and The Royal Ballet School in London, the United Kingdom.
He then danced professionally with Ballett Zurich in Switzerland, Teatro alla Scala and the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
In January 2020, Elia became a full-time teacher at the Dutch National Ballet Academy. Since 2024, he has been Deputy Artistic Director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy.