Introducing Central’s 2025 MA Choreography Cohort

11 July 2025

Central School of Ballet is delighted to announce it’s 2025 MA Choreography cohort. Find out more about each of our MA candidates below…

Read more about George Read more about Kristen Read more about Mikaela

George Liang

George Liang is a dancer, choreographer, and creative entrepreneur originally from Taipei, Taiwan. He is currently a company dancer and choreographer with Northern Ballet, where he has performed numerous leading roles and continues to grow as an artist on both national and international stages. Before joining Northern Ballet, George was a company dancer with The National Ballet of Canada.

Beyond performing, George is passionate about choreography and storytelling through movement. In February 2025, commissioned by Northern Ballet, he created Hansel & Gretel, a new children’s ballet that toured across the UK, introducing young audiences to the magic of ballet. In 2024, he collaborated with an ability dance artist on Sky Above, Voices Within, exploring themes of self-expression and unity. That same year, his work Out of Breath was presented at the Royal Opera & Ballet’s Festival of New Choreography.

George is also a creative force in dance photography and marketing. He is the founder of Project Sauté, a platform dedicated to engaging Mandarin-speaking audiences with ballet. Through this initiative, he has hosted ballet workshops across Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form in these regions.

Since 2021, he has served as the Head of Content for London Vocational Ballet School, where he played a pivotal role in the school’s branding and outreach. In 2023, he led the successful rebrand of “Young Dancers Academy” to “London Vocational Ballet School,” strengthening its identity as a premier institution for ballet training.

In addition to his work as a dancer and choreographer, George has collaborated with UDN Events to bring world-renowned dance companies to Taiwan, including Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Compañía Nacional de Danza de España, and the Ukrainian National Ballet. His multifaceted contributions to the dance world continue to bridge cultures and expand the global reach of ballet.

A summary of George’s work

With my background as a professional ballet dancer, narrative ballet is an integral aspect of the work we create. Using our body to tell stories is something I’m passionate about, and I strive to bring that same depth of storytelling into my own choreographic work. My choreographic approach is deeply rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a desire to expand the boundaries of ballet vocabulary. As a dance artist from Taiwan, my cultural background informs my creative process, allowing me to bring a unique perspective to the broader dance world. I am particularly interested in working with diverse groups of artists, believing that interdisciplinary collaboration can generate fresh and unexpected movement languages.

One of my core interests is reimagining ballet technique—particularly pointe work—not just as a traditional aesthetic but as a tool for dynamic exploration. I am intrigued by how footwork in pointe shoes can be utilized beyond its classical form, transforming it into a more expressive and versatile means of movement. By pushing ballet beyond its conventional structures, I strive to create work that feels both grounded in tradition and innovative in execution.

In my creative process, I prioritize fostering an encouraging and supportive environment. I have found that when dancers feel safe, valued, and empowered, the creative outcome is always richer. I encourage open dialogue, experimentation, and vulnerability in the studio, allowing for a truly collaborative experience where dancers contribute to shaping the work.

Pursuing an MA in Choreography is an opportunity for me to refine my artistic voice, deepen my research into movement exploration, and engage in meaningful dialogue with other choreographers. I want to challenge my current choreographic approach, explore new methodologies, and gain a more comprehensive understanding of how my work can contribute to the dance landscape.

Additionally, I hope to use this program to further develop my ability to articulate my choreographic ideas both physically and conceptually. Engaging with a community of artists and mentors will provide me with new perspectives that will ultimately strengthen my choreographic practice.

 

Kristen McNally

Kristen is a Principal Character Artist and Choreographer with The Royal Ballet Company. Born in Liverpool she trained with Elizabeth Hill before joining The Royal Ballet School in 1999. She graduated into The Royal Ballet Company in 2002.

Her repertoire as a dancer includes The Statement Crystal Pite, Empress Elisabeth (Mayerling), Carabosse (The Sleeping Beauty), Step Sister (Cinderella), ‘M’ (Ek’s Carmen), Lady Capulet, Nurse (Romeo and Juliet), Cook (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), The Wife (The Concert). She has created roles in UntouchableHofesh Shechter, Flight Pattern Crystal Pite, The Wind Arthur Pita, Les Enfants Terribles Javier de Frutos, The Cellist Cathy Marston, Like Water for Chocolate Christopher Wheeldon.

Offstage, Kristen has choreographed works for The Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, The Royal Ballet School, New English Ballet Theatre, Scottish Ballet and BalletBoyz. Her latest piece, The Limit for The Royal Ballet, was nominated for Best Contemporary Choreography at the National Dance Awards 2024. Her commercial choreographic credits include The Paralympic Homecoming Wembley Stadium for Channel 4, BBC Platinum Jubilee Concert Buckingham Palace, John Lewis “Tiny Dancer” advert, and movement direction for brands and publications such as Vogue, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harper’s Bazaar, The Vampires Wife, and Lululemon.

A summary of Kristen’s work

“My passion as a dancer lies in storytelling, and what drives me as a choreographer is the exploration of the unique and powerful ways dance can meet narrative to open up new realms of communication and connection.

At this stage in my career, the MA at Central presents a valuable opportunity to further develop my artistic voice, refine my craft, and explore my practice with intention and focus. I hope to better understand and articulate the themes that shape my work, and share it with renewed purpose, collaborating and supporting others in the process.”

 

Mikaela Polley

Mikaela Polley is a UK based Choreographer, Rehearsal Director, teacher and mentor with a performance and creative career spanning over 30 years. Trained at The Royal Ballet Upper School Mikaela rose to the rank of Soloist at Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) before joining Rambert in 2001. She has performed across an extensive array of large-scale classical and contemporary repertory from renowned choreographers and has toured extensively worldwide.

After 18 years of performing Mikaela transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director then Senior Rehearsal Director at Rambert. Assisting on over 30 productions, Mikaela coached the company dancers across a diverse range of repertoire from choreographers such as Christopher Bruce, Merce Cunningham and Siobhan Davies and regularly taught classical ballet and contemporary technique to the dancers.

Mikaela has taught as a guest teacher in many vocational schools and for intensive courses throughout the UK and for professional companies such as The Royal Ballet, Gothenburg Dance Company, Opera Ballet Wrowclawski, Company Wayne McGregor and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. She also held the role of Artist in Residence for Ballet Central for the 21/22 season. Mikaela is currently the Choreographic Course Coordinator at the Royal Ballet Upper School as well as a Studio Wayne McGregor Artist, assisting on the restaging of The Dante Project, Woolf Works and Maddaddam at The Royal Ballet and internationally.
As a choreographer Mikaela has created over 20 works which have been performed by dancers from Rambert and Birmingham Royal Ballet and commissioned by Images Ballet Company, Encore Dance Company, Ballet Central, Royal Opera House 2, Resolution!, The Royal Ballet School (RBS) English National Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet School. Recent creations include Fast Blue, an all male piece set to music by Elena Kats Chernin for Royal Ballet Upper School students, Unbound for Ballet Central, Between Us for young artists of the Royal Ballet for The Next Generation Festival at the Linbury Theatre and for Elmhurst Ballet School.

A summary of Mikaela’s work

“I have been creating dances since a young child and choreography is part of who I am as an artist. Amongst the many facets of my work choreography has been a constant companion, an outlet to express the joy in exploring the physical world of dance. Whether it is the discovery of classical ballet movement invention or contemporary influences my driving force is rooted in music, human connection and exploring collective unity alongside expression of individuality”