Emile Gooding

Emile Gooding joined The Royal Ballet’s Aud Jebsen Young Dancers programme at the beginning of the 2024/25 Season.  

Born in Reading, Emile began dancing at the age of 6 exploring various styles as well as gymnastics. His young dance training led him to join Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in 2015. In 2016, he became Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical, which toured the UK and Ireland. He continued his ballet journey by joining The Royal Ballet School White Lodge for Year 9, in 2018.  

During his time at the School, he was awarded the Valerie Adams Award for Exceptional Musicality, the Marie Taglioni Handshake Award as well as the Gailene Stock award for Exceptional Progress. He graduated The Royal Ballet Upper School in 2024 after 6 years of full-time training.  

Performances while at the School include roles in Helgi Tomasson’s Concerto Grosso, Marius Petipa’s Paquita as a soloist, Goyo Montero’s BOLD and Mikaela Polley’s Fast Blue. Emile has also represented the School in Hamburg performing John Neumeier’s Yondering for the 48th Hamburg Ballet Days. In Paris, he performed excerpts from Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody at the Gala des Écoles at the Palais Garnier. He has also worked alongside The Royal Ballet in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Manon and Swan Lake.