News: Jill Tookey, founder of National Youth Ballet, RIP

Jill Tookey, founder of the National Youth Ballet died recently at the age of 79. She was awarded the CBE for services to Dance and Young People in the New Year’s Honours List, 2016.

She founded NYB in 1988 and since then many of her company have gone on to dance professionally. In 2015 seven NYB alumni were in the cast of New Adventures’ Edward Scissorhands and Matthew Bourne paid tribute to Jill Tookey on Twitter:

So many of us in the industry are grateful for Jill Tookey’s legacy & the talent she found & nurtured. RIP Jill https://t.co/RrMMbVMfkK

— Sir Matthew Bourne (@Mattbourne1) March 27, 2016

The funeral will be held on 7 April in Kent. Donations to the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action are requested instead of flowers
More details:
nationalyouthballet.org

Photo: Jill Tookey (centre) with former students who cast members for New Adventures’ 2015 production of Edward Scissorhands.