Artistic Advisor - Robert de Warren
We are so proud and honored to have the continued support and mentorship of Robert de Warren.Through his guidance and deep expertise in classical ballet, we are able to uphold the highest standards of training, artistry, and tradition at Archer Classical Training.
An internationally respected ballet director, choreographer, educator, and former Royal Ballet dancer whose career has shaped the global landscape of classical dance for more than five decades. Born in Uruguay and trained in London at the Royal Ballet School, Arts Educational Trust, and Royal Academy of Dance, he rose to prominence as a principal dancer with major European companies, including the Royal Opera Ballet at Covent Garden, Stuttgart Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, and Berlin Ballet.
Recognized for his artistic vision and leadership, de Warren went on to direct some of the world’s most significant ballet institutions. He served as Director of the National Ballet of Iran, where he mounted classical masterpieces, invited international stars such as Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, and founded the National Folklore Organization and Museum. His work in Iran included creating the historic 1975 Asian Games Opening Ceremony featuring 3,000 dancers.
He later became Director of Northern Ballet Theatre (UK), transforming it into a major touring company, creating more than twenty ballets, founding the Northern Ballet School, and securing Princess Margaret as royal patron. His long artistic partnership with Rudolf Nureyev continued for two decades.
As Director of Ballet at La Scala, Milan, de Warren expanded the company’s repertoire, introduced American choreographers to Italy, and co‑founded the Accademia alla Scala, now one of Europe’s leading performing arts academies.
In the United States, he served for thirteen years as Artistic Director of Sarasota Ballet, where he created original works, staged full classical productions, founded the Sarasota Ballet School, and earned national and international acclaim. He later founded the Sarasota International Dance Festival and partnered with ABT star José Manuel Carreño to establish the Carreño Dance Festival, attracting world‑renowned faculty and top pre‑professional dancers.
A prolific choreographer, de Warren’s catalogue spans full‑length story ballets, classical repertoire, opera choreography, and multimedia works. His extensive research into Iranian tribal, mystic, and court dances remains a unique cultural contribution.
He is the author of the memoir Destiny’s Waltz: In Step with Giants, and is a member of UNESCO’s International Dance Council, the Royal Academy of Dance, and the Directors Guild of Great Britain. His legacy continues to influence dancers, teachers, and companies around the world