The Ballet de Catalunya proudly announces the appointment of Leo Sorribes as its new Director, leading both the artistic and executive vision of the company, effective from the 2025–2026 season.
Leo Sorribes has held the executive role within the company until now, while also serving as Director of the Ibstage Galas and the International Ibstage Program. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to Ballet de Catalunya’s artistic development supporting Elias Garcia’s artistic vision, but also contributing to the repertoire of the company with choreographies like the acclaimed Fast Avance, premiered at the Centre Cultural de Terrassa and Gran Teatre del Liceu. With a career spanning more than 17 years, Mr. Sorribes now takes the helm from Mr. Elias Garcia, who has served as the company’s Artistic Director since its inception.
In accordance with the statutes of the Fundació Ballet de Catalunya, there will be no need to appoint a separate Artistic Director, as both the artistic and executive responsibilities are inherently vested in the role of General Director. As such, Leo Sorribes will fully assume this integrated leadership from the upcoming season.
“I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to Mr. Garcia, who has guided this company from the very beginning with dedication and vision over the past eight years. I now take over the helm from him, and my most important mission is to open the company to new styles and languages of movement, while continuing to honor and preserve our classical repertoire.”
“This must be a new chapter where Ballet de Catalunya strengthens its presence in contemporary and neoclassical creation, and grows in international scope — above all, by developing a distinctive artistic identity that sets us apart from any other company and allows us to offer an original, signature product.”
— Leo Sorribes, Director of Ballet de Catalunya
A New Direction for Artistic Excellence and Emotional Wellbeing
One of the cornerstone initiatives of Mr. Sorribes’s leadership will be the implementation of a company-wide support system based on inclusion, mental health, and individualized care. This system will be delivered through a dedicated team of psychologists, nutritionists, and performance coaches, working together to promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of all dancers at Ballet de Catalunya.
“Dance has evolved, and so has society. The methods of the past no longer match the needs of today’s dancers. New generations approach life and training differently, and it is our responsibility—as leaders and educators—to be wise enough to adapt, evolve, and embrace a more holistic and emotionally balanced way of working.”
Key Initiatives
As part of this transformation, the Artistic Director will launch a number of initiatives designed to expand the creative identity of the company and strengthen its foundations:
- A public call for choreographic talent, with a strong focus on local Catalan creators, to develop and showcase new contemporary voices.
- A full redesign of the Trainee Program, endowing it with a distinct artistic identity and a clearly defined season calendar. The new program will emphasize personalized development, professional preparation, and greater integration within the company’s structure.
“Our trainees are a vital part of Ballet de Catalunya. We must deploy all available resources to offer them the best training, and to ensure that as many of them as possible make the transition into the main company.”
- The creation of contemporary dance residencies for external artists and organizations, fostering creative synergies and collaborative growth with the broader dance community.
Looking Ahead
Mr. Sorribes’s artistic vision will begin to materialize with the Season Opening Galas, scheduled for October 21 and 22, 2025, at the Teatre Principal in Terrassa. These performances will signal a fresh beginning and showcase the evolving identity of Ballet de Catalunya.
In parallel, the company will inaugurate a new tradition: a Season Opening Dinner for donors and patrons, establishing an annual celebration that honors those who believe in the future of the institution and actively support its mission.
With renewed leadership, a bold creative vision, and a commitment to care and excellence, Ballet de Catalunya enters a new chapter—poised to grow, inspire, and lead in today’s global dance landscape.
