Ernst Meisner succeeds Ted Brandsen as Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet as of 1 August 2026

The Board of Directors of Dutch National Opera & Ballet is delighted to announce that following an international selection procedure Ernst Meisner (the Netherlands, 1982) will succeed Ted Brandsen as Director of Dutch National Ballet as of 1 August 2026. In this capacity, he will join the management of Dutch National Opera & Ballet, which also comprises the Director of Dutch National Opera and the General Director of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Besides being a choreographer, Ernst Meisner is currently the associate director of Talent Development with Dutch National Ballet and has been the artistic director of Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company since its foundation in 2013. Meisner also holds the position of artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy at the moment.

Read a conversation with Ernst Meisner about his career until now.

Louise O. Fresco, chair of the Board of Directors of Dutch National Opera & Ballet:
“His clear artistic vision of the art form of ballet, his sharp eye for talent development and innovation, and his modern views on artistic leadership are qualities that lead us to believe that Ernst Meisner will be an excellent future director of Dutch National Ballet. Moreover, he has wide experience as a dancer and a leader, an international network and an interest in what happens in the world around us. In our eyes, this makes Ernst Meisner the ideal person to continue the successful policy of Dutch National Ballet and to develop it further.”

Stijn Schoonderwoerd, general director of Dutch National Opera & Ballet: 
"We have already come to know Ernst in his present roles as an inspiring colleague who combines a strong artistic vision with the ability to collaborate and connect. This is really important within our large organisation with so many different disciplines. He also knows from personal experience what is necessary for respectfully guiding today’s generations of artists in their development, as professionals and as people. In doing so, he will also make a great contribution to the development of Dutch National Opera & Ballet as a whole.”

Sophie de Lint, director of Dutch National Opera:
“During our excellent collaboration on the project How Anansi freed the stories of the world, I experienced in person that Ernst is curious, as I am, about what happens outside the domain of his own professional field. So I am looking forward to working with him on further exploring and intensifying the possibilities of artistic collaboration between opera and ballet, which were shaped by Ted Brandsen and myself in recent seasons. I am also looking forward to joining Ernst in taking the next steps in Dutch National Opera & Ballet’s talent development, for example through joint projects with the Junior Company and the Opera Studio. Furthermore, we share the conviction that we must continue to develop and challenge our art forms, and that Dutch National Opera & Ballet has an important role to play in the Dutch and the international ecosystem of the performing arts.”

Ernst Meisner:
“I am extremely honoured to receive this appointment from the Board of Directors and I look forward to working with all the talented colleagues and the management of Dutch National Opera & Ballet, as well as making new connections outside the organisation. Under Ted Brandsen, Dutch National Ballet has grown to become a world-class company. Continuing to develop what has been built up and looking after the company’s rich oeuvre on the one hand, while breaking new ground with the younger generation of dancers and makers on the other is a challenge I relish.”