We sat down with Meaghan Grace Hinkis, a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet to discuss the gala that brings together dancers from The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. In its 4th year, the gala funds will be donated to a mix of charities supporting the arts.
1. This is the fourth year of your charity gala at Minterne House. How has your vision for the event evolved since its inception, and what inspired you to bring together dancers from three major UK ballet companies this year?
When I first started the gala during Covid, my aim was simply to bring dance back to life in a moment when theatres were closed and artists had very few opportunities to perform. Over the years, the vision has grown — it’s now just as much about creating community, opening doors for audiences who might not usually encounter ballet, and celebrating the breadth of talent we have in this country.
This year, bringing dancers together from The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet felt like a natural step. Each company has its own identity, but when their artists share a stage, it creates something truly rare — a dialogue across styles that energises both the dancers and the audience
2. You’ve mentioned the “rare energy” that comes from combining different artistic voices. Can you share an example of how this cross-company collaboration has influenced the repertoire or the dancers’ performances?
“Each company brings its own style, traditions, and repertoire, and when you place them side by side, the contrasts and resonances create a fresh perspective on the art form. The dancers also feel that energy — there’s a real sense of occasion in knowing they’re part of a collective celebration of ballet that goes beyond the walls of their own company.”
3. A major element of this year’s gala is inviting over 100 local children and teachers to watch class and the performance. What impact do you hope this experience will have on young people seeing ballet live, many for the first time?
“For me, this is one of the most important aspects of the gala. Ballet can feel distant or inaccessible if you only ever see it on social media or on television. But when young people see the dancers up close it makes the art form real and relatable. I hope it plants a seed, whether that’s a love for ballet, the courage to pursue their own artistic path, or simply the understanding that creativity has a place in all of our lives.”
4. The programme features works from an impressive list of choreographers, from Ashton to Wayne McGregor. How do you decide on the balance between classical and contemporary pieces, and what were your personal “must include” works this year?
“I always want the gala to reflect ballet’s full spectrum — from the heritage works that form our foundation, to the contemporary voices that keep the art form moving forward. Ashton is a cornerstone for me; his ballets embody the English style and it feels especially right to celebrate him in Dorset, close to his own roots. At the same time, I love showcasing living choreographers like Sir Wayne McGregor, because his work challenges both dancers and audiences to think about movement in new ways. For me, the “must includes” are the pieces that spark dialogue between past and present, showing that ballet is not frozen in time, but a living, breathing art form.”
5. The gala has already raised over £150,000 for performing arts charities. How do you choose which organisations to support, and what difference have you seen the donations make?
“I’m committed to supporting organisations that nurture artists and broaden access to the arts. In the past, donations have gone towards initiatives that provide training opportunities for young dancers, support freelance artists, or make performances more accessible to wider audiences. The most rewarding part is hearing back from these organisations about the tangible impact — whether it’s a scholarship awarded to a young dancer, a project realised, or simply the knowledge that the gala helped sustain the artistic ecosystem that gives so much to me as a dancer.”
6. You’ve said Minterne House allows you to “dream big” while keeping an intimate atmosphere. What is it about this venue that makes it so special for both the dancers and the audience?
“The first time I pulled up to Minterne House I gasped. It’s a spectacular house with grounds that are expansive and historic, which allows me to think on a grand scale when planning the gala. Yet at the same time, the performance space itself is intimate — the audience is close enough to see every detail, every breath. For the dancers, it feels both inspiring and personal, and for the audience, it’s like being invited into a private world of ballet. That combination is rare, and it’s what makes Minterne the perfect home for this gala.
There’s also a deep artistic history embedded in Minterne — generations of music-making have taken place within its walls. Knowing that these halls have long resonated with live performance adds another layer of meaning when our dancers take to the stage. It feels as though we’re carrying forward a tradition, while giving it a new expression through ballet.”