What does it mean to choose fulfilment over happiness in a creative career? Laura Harvey, Head of Creative Programmes at English National Ballet, shares her powerful journey from dancer to industry change-maker in a conversation that challenges traditional notions of success in the arts.
With infectious energy and hard-won wisdom, Laura reveals how her career has evolved across 15 transformative years at ENB, demolishing barriers between "elite" dance and community engagement. She speaks candidly about the limitations of traditional training pathways, the unnecessary walls between artistic excellence and accessibility, and her mission to create dance opportunities that span generations – from her youngest participants at nine to her oldest at eighty-three.
The conversation delves into Laura's work with Parents in Performing Arts and Dance Mama, addressing the critical "talent hemorrhage" when performers, particularly mothers, struggle to balance parenthood with creative careers. Her initiatives demonstrate how the industry can evolve to retain its most valuable resource – experienced artists who might otherwise be forced to abandon their calling.
Throughout our conversation, Laura returns to a theme that has shaped her approach to leadership: the distinction between seeking happiness (which often proves elusive) and pursuing fulfilment through meaningful work. This perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint to our culture's relentless focus on happiness, suggesting instead that engagement with challenging, purpose-driven work provides deeper satisfaction.
Despite acknowledging serious challenges facing arts education and funding, Laura radiates optimism about emerging talent. She celebrates young dancers who approach their craft with both technical excellence and expansive vision, seeing possibilities beyond traditional pathways. Her insights remind us that while institutions may change, the transformative power of dance remains constant through those committed to sharing its magic.

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