Class of 1996

Erina Takahashi | Lead Principal (former), English National Ballet

Born in Hokkaido, Japan, Erina Takahashi came to London at just 15 years old to train at English National Ballet School. Having studied at the Kushiro Ballet Academy in her hometown, she arrived speaking very little English, yet immediately felt welcomed and inspired.

“When I went to audition with the School, I saw the building and had a feeling that I liked it. When I was at the School, I felt very at home. I felt comfortable even without my parents and without speaking English.”

That sense of belonging became the foundation for an extraordinary career. Erina joined English National Ballet in 1996, aged just 17, fulfilling a dream that began during her student days watching the Company rehearse from the School’s windows in Kensington. Over nearly three decades, she became one of the Company’s most admired and enduring artists, known for her grace, dramatic power, and emotional depth.

Promoted to Principal in 2000 and Lead Principal in 2007, Erina performed many of ballet’s most iconic roles, including Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, and the title role in Giselle. She was also widely acclaimed for her performances in contemporary works by choreographers such as Akram Khan, Jiří Kylián, and William Forsythe, displaying both classical precision and a modern sensibility that defined her versatility.

Throughout her career, Erina was celebrated not only for her artistry but also for her warmth, humility, and loyalty to English National Ballet.

“I’ve guested with other companies, and they’re wonderful, but I always feel I’ve come back to my family.”

In 2025, Erina retired from performing, marking the end of a remarkable stage career that spanned nearly 30 years. She now continues her journey with English National Ballet as a Repetiteur, sharing her artistry and experience with the next generation of dancers. Her story from a young ENBS student far from home to one of the most beloved figures in the Company’s history stands as an enduring inspiration to all who follow in her footsteps.