We are passionately committed to the development of ballet and dance through our shared knowledge, values,
and experience.
Together we will offer our expertise to help companies to implement structural change, find new artistic leaders and undertake artistic reviews of their organisations.
Background photograph by Maria Helena BuckleyWe Are
To The Pointe
International Ballet Consultants
We are a team of experienced ballet professionals providing services to dance companies, helping them evolve their artistic leadership through placement and mentorship.
As Principal Dancers, Artistic Leaders, Teachers, Advocates and Senior Executives, we have witnessed, over many years, great change in creative leadership and are well-placed to offer guidance and expertise to ballet companies and schools across the globe.
Who We Are
Each of us have engaged with companies around the world and we understand the different ethnic and cultural characteristics that are required to successfully lead an artistic organisation.
What We Do
Recruitment
We have all been through the process of Artistic Director placement both as candidates and clients.
While this service is offered by certain large firms, our combined expertise in this area of Artistic Leadership provides artform specific knowledge to best serve the needs of a dance company.
The role of Artistic Director in a dance company today continues to become more complex. Through our joint experience and networks, we will be able to find outstanding applicants who embody the characteristics required to successfully achieve their vision, manage their people and build success for their organisation.
Mentoring / Coaching
Artistic leadership can be a solitary position. It is often something that former dancers take on with limited experience after having devoted their lives to perfecting their skills as performance artists.
Having made this transition from successful dancers to leaders of companies, we understand the rigors and complexities of this journey. We know the value of this sort of mentorship and its importance.
We would offer:
- Personal assessment of strengths and areas of development alongside a plan to achieve personal and professional goals
- One on one coaching over an agreed timeframe to implement goals
- Ongoing support when needed
Aspiring Directors
Preparing applicants for directorships and interview procedures and advising during the process.
Supporting the candidate throughout the process, from application to final interview*
*We would recuse ourselves this process should we be hired by a company to search for their new director.
- Personal assessment of strengths and areas of development alongside a plan to achieve personal and professional goals
- One on one coaching over an agreed timeframe to implement goals
- Ongoing support when needed
As an Artistic Director, one is constantly providing oversight and professional development to the people under ones' care. We believe it is vital to continue to nurture and replenish ones' own professional growth.
Private Coaching
Either in-person or online.
Organization Restructuring
As one of our services, we will review and help to find the optimal way in which to organize your company.
Many large dance companies are structured like that of a company from the 17th century. With the changes in society, to lead dance companies, the demands and expectations have become more challenging. We can help senior, middle management, and dancers, learn how to adapt and realize current societal expectations.
Artistic Evaluation
External review is a valuable tool for boards and other governing bodies to use when assessing the organisations' artistic success and fulfilment of their mission and goals.
Artistic vibrancy is a very subjective area of our artform and something that is difficult to measure. Ballet, as an example, is such a specialised art-form. In our experience, finding people to provide this type of review is a difficult task. We believe that with our unique perspective of having directed companies across the world, and with our large professional network, we will be able to give expert feedback.
We will do this by:
- Spending time observing the company in rehearsal and performance
- Undertaking a review of other artistic colleagues knowledge and experience of the company
- Analysing media (marketing and social)
- Providing a report to the organization of current artistic standing and areas for potential growth
Associates
We draw upon our colleagues from all spheres of dance, from around the world, to support and widen our base of knowledge and to include perspectives from diverse backgrounds.
We will put their names on the website in alphabetical order.
- Ronald Alexander
- Julio Bocca
- David Bintley
- Ted Brandsen
- Kinsun Chan
- Christopher Hampson
- Edward Liang
- Ingrid Lorentzen
- Raymond Lukens
- Johannes Ohman
- Desmond Richardson
- Samme Raeymaekers
- Fiona Tonkin
- Debbie Turner
- Samuel Wuersten
Projects & Testimonials
Projects
Royal New Zealand Ballet
Artistic Director SearchFinnish National Ballet
Artistic Director SearchNorthern Ballet
Artistic Director SearchFinnish National Ballet
Artistic Director Mentoring
Testimonials
“To the Pointe, brought their expertise and in-depth knowledge, which really added value to us/the process. It truly was a pleasure working with them and can highly be recommended to other organizations.”
“I was working together with To the Pointe in 2021 when the Finnish National Opera and Ballet engaged them to help with the search of the Artistic Director for the Ballet. Even if as a Human Resources professional I have extensive experience in recruitment, I found their contribution invaluable. Their knowledge and understanding of the ballet world and artistic requirements as well as their insights about the candidates helped us greatly in our decision making. I can warmly recommend them for similar kinds of assignments.”
National Opera and Ballet Member of the Nomination Committee
“To the Pointe is unique and provides in-depth knowledge of the dance sector at leadership level. Their nternational network which can be accessed through To the Pointe's consultancy is distinctive and current. I was invited to be part of the consultancy process for Finnish National Opera & Ballet's (FNOB) Artistic Director search, and it was a fulfilling and rich experience working alongside David, and Cynthia to support FNOB's international search.”
“As a former Artistic Director himself, David McAllister was able to bring a deep understanding of the skills, experience and personality required by our candidates to work alongside an Executive Director in creating and delivering a vision for a leading UK ballet company and academy In addition to his unsurpassed knowledge of the dance world, David is a delight to work with and I greatly enjoyed having him alongside me during this assignment.”
Arts Entertainment Media Executive Search
“It was great to work with To The Pointe as artistic advisors on our placement of the new Artistic Director for the Finnish National Ballet. We found their knowledge and experience in the ballet world added great value to the process, and they were fun, thoughtful and professional to work with throughout.”