KATHLEEN BREEN COMBES

ARTISTIC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

After an acclaimed career as Principal Dancer with Boston Ballet, Kathleen Breen Combes now channels her artistry and vision into her leadership of Ballet RI. Known for her discerning eye for world-class work and her dedication to cultivating the next generation of dancers, she is shaping a company that is both superbly trained and boldly innovative; an accessible, inclusive cultural force for Rhode Island and beyond.

Praised by The New York Times as a “ballerina of colossal scale and boldness,” Breen Combes has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages. She earned the Lefkowitz Award for Special Achievement at the New York International Ballet Competition at Lincoln Center, appeared on the cover of Dance Magazine, and was nominated for the Benois de la Danse for her unforgettable portrayals of Juliet in Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet and Titania in Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has performed at Moscow’s storied Bolshoi Theatre, danced principal roles across the classical canon, and brought to life works by choreographic luminaries including Wheeldon, Forsythe, McGregor, Ekman, Yanowsky, Pickett, Robbins, Kylián, and Balanchine. She originated iconic roles in Jorma Elo’s Carmen, Close to Chuck, and Break the Eyes, and worked closely with William Forsythe, creating roles in Playlist, Pas/Parts, and more.

Raised in New York, Breen Combes trained at the Fort Lauderdale Ballet Classique, the HARID Conservatory, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet before joining The Washington Ballet at age 18. In 2003, she moved to Boston Ballet, rising to the rank of principal dancer in 2009, where she became celebrated for her versatility, artistry, and stage presence.

Offstage, Breen Combes brings equal passion to the business and advocacy of ballet. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University, has worked in development and artistic administration, and served as AGMA Union representative for Boston Ballet. She has contributed to leading dance publications, created the TED-Ed video Rethinking Ballet, and spoken at institutions including Harvard, Northeastern, the University of Tokyo, and UMass.

Today, she stands at the intersection of artistry and leadership, building a ballet company that reflects both the excellence of her performance career and her vision for a more inclusive, vibrant cultural future.