INTRODUCING OUR
T E A M
JAMIEL DEVERNAY-LAURENCE
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence is Producer of dance-based experiences for stage, screen, events, in education and professional development.
After trialing the BALLET NIGHTS concept show in October 2021, Jamiel received private investment and was appointed as the Executive Artistic Director In April 2023, - commissioned to deliver multiple performances of his unique vision for a new dance platform and take the concept international.
Working closely with his curated casts of world stars, modern masters, emerging talents and new discoveries, Jamiel is focussed on forging new dance narratives for audiences both experienced and new to dance entirely.
Through entrepreneurship, Jamiel brings his creations to life by collaboratively platforming and curating the work of other artists and harnessing his professional network drawn from his experience as a Performer, Choreographer, Creative Director, Venue Director, and award-winning Filmmaker.
ROSS FREDDIE RAY
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ross Freddie Ray is a British Choreographer whose ballets have been performed across the world.
At the age of 28 Ross already boasts an impressive CV with 24 original choreographies in his repertoire. Ranging from Solo and Pas De Deux works to full length ballet productions.
Ross’s choreographic works have been performed in 15 countries, 31 cities and in 39 theatres across the world. Ross also has a passion for dance film and has so far choreographed 5 dance films amassing over 6 million views online.
Ross Freddie Ray is also an International Producer and Artistic Director for a number of different arts and cultural organisations across the globe. In 2023 Ross brought 8 different ballet projects to stage and screen
In 2024 Ross will be developing a further 10 new Ballet projects for the International dance scene.
OLIVIA GODWIN
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Olivia joined the BALLET NIGHTS team in June 2023, and quickly became an essential member of the team, evolving her role to now manage the daily operations of marketing and communication.
Having trained in Classical Ballet growing up, Olivia went on to study History at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in the History of Masculinity, receiving a first and later being awarded the Margaret Balfour Prize for academic achievement.
While studying, Olivia also competed with her University Advanced Dance Company.
Olivia continues to enjoy dancing in her spare time.
JUDY LIPSEY
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PUBLICIST (PR)
Judy Lipsey is an arts and entertainment publicist whose current clients include Ballet Nights, Mark Bruce Company, Lost Dog Dance, New English Ballet Theatre, Let’s Dance International Frontiers dance festival, composer Shri Sriram, and Red Entertainment.
Previously: Judy was a music and film journalist then a press officer at a number of major record labels including EMI, Sony, and BMG. She co-founded The Works PR in the 2000s and moved to Premier PR as Associate Director in 2013. She left in 2019 to form Lipsey PR.
Judy is proud to be part of the dynamic team at Ballet Nights.
MARIA SASCHA KHAN
DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT FOR SE ASIA
Maria Sascha Khan is a Principal dancer, artistic director and master teacher with an extensive background in producing, directing and coaching. She holds a Master’s Degree with distinction from the University of the Arts Central Saint Martins, London, in Arts & Cultural Enterprise, and is the co-founder and former Artistic Director of the Yellowstone International Arts Festival, Director of Ballet for the Canggu Studio and working with the visionary Nuanu City.
Maria Sascha began her pre-professional ballet journey at prestigious institutions like the Kirov Academy of Ballet, The Royal Ballet in London, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and on full scholarship at the Académie de Danse Classique de Princesse Grace. Graduating with honours from the Académie, she was invited by Vladimir Malakhov to join the Staatsballett Berlin. Excelling in both classical and contemporary ballet her repertoire includes works by Neumeier, Forsythe, Kylian, Macmillan, Cranko, Balanchine, Petipa, Cunningham, Prejlocaj and more. Her journey continued with the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, the English National Ballet of London and as Principal dancer of the Ekaterinburg State Ballet, Russia.