Reflections: Raising Leaders with Sasha De Sola
An INSPIRING TRIP FOR SASHA DE SOLA
Certain moments have the power to transform us, and for Sasha De Sola, a recent international residency did just that. Supported by the Raising Leaders initiative, Sasha traveled to the Royal Swedish Ballet and Dutch National Ballet for insight into how leadership, collaboration, and culture shapes the global dance world. What unfolded was a deeply inspiring experience that reaffirmed her commitment to ballet’s future.
Certain moments in life mark a profound shift, dividing time into a clear "before" and "after." My two weeks long residency at the Royal Swedish Ballet and one week at Dutch National Ballet, made possible by my Raising Leaders fellowship, was one such moment. This experience was nothing short of invigorating and inspiring.
Throughout May, I immersed myself in the operations of these world-class institutions, engaging with key stakeholders and spending invaluable time with Artistic Directors Nicolas Le Riche and Ted Brandsen. These interactions sharpened my skills in strategic decision-making, team collaboration, and adaptive leadership. I gained a deeper understanding of the European model of arts leadership within the broader opera house infrastructure, exploring the cultural, economic, and social factors that shape impactful decisions.
Most profoundly, I was moved by the universal passion for ballet—a shared commitment to honoring its past, present, and future. This dedication reaffirmed my belief that arts leadership is an act of service, one that supports the art form, its artists, patrons, and communities. Witnessing this devotion was both humbling and motivating, fueling my desire to contribute to the field.
I am immensely grateful to Kerry Nicholls and Tamara Rojo, for creating this extraordinary development initiative and offering me this unparalleled opportunity. As an active dancer, the chance to explore arts leadership is a rare privilege, and Raising Leaders is a testament to their forward-thinking vision for the art form and its artists. I am also deeply appreciative of the openness and generosity shown by Nicolas Le Riche, Ted Brandsen, and the teams at the Royal Swedish Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. This experience has equipped me with insights to elevate my current and future work and empower those around me. I am excited to apply these lessons to shape a meaningful future for the art form that is my life's passion.
Stay tuned for more Raising Leaders updates from Sasha and Julie Rowe this Season.
SF Ballet Backstage
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