Leanne Benjamin OBE AM is a highly acclaimed and award- winning dancer, who was a principal ballerina with Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Deutsche Oper Berlin and ultimately a principal for 20 years with the Royal Ballet. Born in Queensland, Australia, she started her professional ballet career at the age of 18 and retired from the stage at the age of 49, after a world-class career. Leanne has received the Critic’s Circle Dance Awards for Best Female Dancer (2004, 2009) and the De Valois Award for Outstanding achievement in Dance (2013).

In 2005 Leanne received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her services to dance. In 2015 she was appointed an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) and in 2014, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts by Central Queensland University. In 2019, Leanne was the recipient of the inaugural Agent-General Queensland Day Award, and in 2023 received the Australian of the Year Award.

Leanne now devotes herself to coaching for major ballet productions around the world for companies including the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, the Australian Ballet and Queensland Ballet. She is Vice Chair of the Board of Governors for the Royal Ballet Companies, and patron of the Tait Memorial Trust. She is also much in demand as an international judge and motivational guest speaker.

In October 2021, Leanne released her autobiography, Built for Ballet published by Melbourne Books.

Leanne will be interviewed by Jacquie Brunjes (Storey).

Signed copies of Leanne’s Book ‘BUILT FOR BALLET’ will be available to pre order via the link below or to purchase on the night.

This event is free but attendance has to be confirmed in advance.
As there is limited capacity we anticipate there will be a waiting list.
To secure your place please contact:
Bex Weller events@folkingtonmanor.com