07/31/2026
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!
We are thrilled to announce that Russell Ducker will be joining School of Philadelphia Ballet as Resident Choreographer!
Russell Ducker began his training at the Royal Ballet Lower School, White Lodge and graduated from the Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden in 2007. Prior to Philadelphia Ballet, Russell performed with Angel Corella’s Barcelona Ballet, where he danced various soloist and principal roles.
Russell joined Philadelphia Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet for the 2014/15 Season before being promoted to Demi Soloist in 2019. He has danced in a range of classical repertoire including; La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, Giselle, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Cinderella and The Nutcracker. Russell has originated roles in premieres by Juliano Nunes, Jorma Elo, Matthew Neenan and Nicolo Fonte.
Russell has choreographed three times for the company; This Divide (2018, music by Glenn Branca), Suspended in Time (2021, music by The Electric Light Orchestra) and Dance Card (2021, music by Grammy winner Jennifer Higdon). Ballets for Philadelphia Ballet II include; Where The Sidewalk Ends (2016, inspired by the poems of Shel Silverstein) and Little Voices (2017). You may have also seen his fantastic work, Peter & the Wolf, performed by SPB students throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region throughout the 2025/26 season!
We cannot wait to see what work he brings to stage with our students next! To learn more about our incredible leadership and faculty, visit our website today.
📷️: Alexander Iziliaev