Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen announces the 2025–26 season roster. The Company includes a diverse roster of 69 professional dancers from around the world. Five new dancers join the main Company, seven new dancers join Boston Ballet II (BBII), and five Boston Ballet and BBII dancers received promotions for the upcoming season. Nissinen also announces Boston Ballet’s Artistic Assistant Director Philip Neal, who will join the Company in October 2025.
Meet the New Artistic Assistant Director
Philip Neal will join Boston Ballet as Artistic Assistant Director in October 2025. Neal enjoyed a 23-year career with New York City Ballet, 17 years as a principal dancer. He is a trusted repetiteur for the works of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, endorsed by both Trusts. Throughout his career, Philip has been a guest instructor for numerous national and international companies, a dance panelist, mentor, adjudicator, teacher, and led development efforts, fundraising, and special events on behalf of Miami City Ballet. Neal was the Artistic Director of Next Generation Ballet and Dance Dean of the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center in Tampa, Florida since 2015.
“I’m honored to join such a prestigious organization—one I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with for nearly a decade, staging several Balanchine works. I have deep admiration for the extraordinary talent of Boston Ballet’s dancers and look forward to working alongside Mikko to further the Company’s artistic legacy in Boston and on the global stage,” said Neal.
Russell Kaiser, Boston Ballet’s Assistant Artistic Director since 2009, will leave his position at the conclusion of The Nutcracker performances in December 2025. Kaiser will return as Guest Rehearsal Director for Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering in April 2026.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to step away from my position with Boston Ballet at the end of 2025. The last 16 years have been a true gift, and working with the talented artists of Boston Ballet has inspired and motivated me every day, and I will miss that tremendously,” said Kaiser.
“Russell has been an incredible artistic partner to me, a huge part of this organization, and he shall be missed. Philip Neal enjoyed a tremendous performing career with New York City Ballet and has worked with Boston Ballet as a guest stager many times. He brings a deep understanding of our artistic vision and a true appreciation for the dancers’ craft. I look forward to our continued collaboration,” Nissinen said.
Meet the New Dancers
Boston Ballet welcomes five new dancers to the Company: Madoka Sugai (Atsugi, Japan) and WanTing Zhao (Anshan, China) as principal dancers, Francisco Schilereff (Coronel Suárez, Argentina) as a second soloist, and Katie Cerny (Cary, North Carolina) and Spencer Wetherington (Bridgeton, New Jersey) as artists of the Company.
“I am thrilled to welcome these exceptionally talented dancers to the Company. Each brings a unique voice and strength that will enrich our organization. With a repertoire that spans classical masterpieces to bold contemporary works, our dancers reflect the diversity and versatility of Boston Ballet, and I look forward to experiencing their performances throughout the season,” said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.
Thirty-three percent of the Company self-identifies as BIPOC or multi-racial and the roster has representation from 14 nationalities from Argentina, China, Cuba, England, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. BBII alumni comprise 43 percent of the Company.
Nissinen also previously announced the following promotions. Artists SeokJoo Kim and Gearóid Solan have been promoted to the rank of second soloist. Boston Ballet II dancers Layla Porter, Kylie Dyson, and Sebastian Bondar have been promoted to Artist of the Company.
New dancers to join BBII include Ethan Collins (Auckland, New Zealand), Aubrey Daniels, Alberto Gil Vicente (Madrid, Spain), Bogyeong Kim (Gimhae City, South Korea), Louis Millard (Petoskey, Michigan), and Alexander Mockrish (Danderyd, Sweden). Boston Ballet’s Egan Graduate Program dancer Zoe Cartier (Phoenix, Arizona) was promoted to BBII.
Featured Image: Philip Neal in George Balanchine’s Mozartiana © The George Balanchine Trust, photo by Paul Kolnik.
