Inspiration in motion

Dance for Ukraine

21 March 2026

Darcey Bussell welcomes Dance for Ukraine to the Royal Academy of Dance

Dancers include Royal Ballet’s
Calvin Richardson, Joseph Sissens, Akane Takada, Marianna Tsembenhoi, Viola Pantuso

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Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the Royal Academy of Dance, and Ivan Putrov will present a very special ballet matinee to raise funds to support ballet students in Ukraine.

The afternoon will feature a welcome from Dame Darcey, performances by Royal Ballet dancers including Calvin Richardson, Joseph Sissens, Akane Takada, Marianna Tsembenhoi, Viola Pantuso , Caspar Lench,  Hanna Park, Martin Diaz and Ukrainian Royal Ballet School student Denis Teixeira, an update from Ivan Putrov on the work of the charity Inspiration in Motion and there will be the opportunity to meet the dancers over refreshments.

Proceeds from the event will go to support students aged 10–18 at the Kyiv State Ballet College and the Serge Lifar Kyiv Municipal Academy of Dance. The admission to these highly respected schools signifies exceptional promise. However, currently, many families are experiencing extreme hardship with household incomes as low as £160 per month, placing accessibility to training at serious risk.

The event is produced by Ivan Putrov for Inspiration in Motion, who produced  two earlier Dance for Ukraine fund-raising events. The first, organised with Alina Cojocaru weeks after the Russian invasion, raised money for the Disaster Emergencies Committee, Ukraine Appeal. The second concentrated on supporting ballet in war torn Ukraine, funding a production of Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée at the National Ballet of Ukraine and distributing over £166k worth of shoes and dancewear to Ukrainian ballet students.

Ivan said: 'The future of dance in Ukraine depends on our support of students today."

Dance for Ukraine, Royal Academy of Dance,
188 York Road, London, SW11 3JZ

 2pm, 21 March 2026

Application to attend Dance for Ukraine 21 March 2026

Admission to the event is available on application via the above link. This is a fund-raising event with a suggested minimum donation of £65.  

  • A gift of £320 provides a year of essential dancewear for a girl, a gift of £240 provides a year of essential dancewear for a boy.

  • £700 covers a student’s school lunches for a full year

  • £1,500 can support one student’s core annual study costs

  • Larger gifts can sponsor multiple students or provide flexible support.