Dame Ninette de Valois, born Edris Stannus, was a monumental figure who shaped the landscape of classical dance in the United Kingdom and beyond. After performing with the prestigious Ballets Russes, she pivoted from dancing to leadership, eventually founding the Royal Ballet and its associated school and touring companies. Her influence extended internationally as she established the Turkish State Ballet and fostered the growth of the art form in her native Ireland. As a choreographer, she created definitive works like Job and Checkmate, which helped define a specific British style of movement. Over her long life, she received numerous prestigious honours, including the Order of Merit and a Dam ...