The Australian Ballet has promoted Davi Ramos to principal artist, following his debut season in the title role of John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet.
The announcement was made live on stage at the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre on Saturday 2 May, with Artistic Director David Hallberg revealing the promotion in front of the audience, company dancers and staff.
The promotion makes Ramos the first Brazilian principal artist in The Australian Ballet’s history, and the company’s first Black male principal artist. Principal artist is the highest rank within the company, recognising not only artistic achievement, but leadership within the organisation and on stage.
Ramos’ elevation is the fifth promotion to principal artist made by Hallberg since he became Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet in 2020.
Hallberg described Ramos as an artist of unusual force and commitment.
“Davi is an artist of extraordinary energy and strength. While audiences see his performances on stage, we see the dedication and discipline he brings to his work on a daily basis,” Hallberg said. “His debut as Romeo this season revealed not only his technical command, but a genuine ability to move audiences through storytelling.”
“It is a pleasure to recognise his growth and welcome him to the rank of principal artist, and I look forward to seeing him continue to flourish as he takes on new roles with the company in 2026 and beyond,” he added.
Born in the Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro, Ramos began ballet at 13, after his capoeira teacher encouraged him to take his first class. He trained at Lyceu Escola de Dança before receiving a scholarship to The Royal Ballet School in London, following his appearance at the Prix de Lausanne in 2016.
After graduating in 2019, he joined the Dutch National Ballet Junior Company, where he progressed through the ranks before joining The Australian Ballet in 2024 as a soloist. He was promoted to senior artist at the end of the 2024 season.
Since arriving in Australia, Ramos has moved quickly through some of the company’s most prominent repertoire. His roles have included Des Grieux in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, Prince Désiré in David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, the Prince in Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker, a principal role in Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces, Harald Lander’s Études, and now Romeo in Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet.
For Ramos, the promotion carries both professional and personal significance.
“To be promoted to principal artist with The Australian Ballet is a dream come true,” Ramos said. “Coming from where I started in Brazil to standing on stage and receiving this recognition is incredibly special to me.”
“I am very proud to be the first Brazilian artist and the first Black male artist to reach this level with the company. So much hard work, sacrifice and dedication has gone into this journey, which makes this moment even more meaningful. I am grateful to David and to everyone who has helped me through my journey so far. I look forward to continuing to grow and to share my love of dance with audiences,” he added.
Ramos’ promotion comes during The Australian Ballet’s Sydney season of Romeo and Juliet, which continues at the Sydney Opera House until 13 May. The production will then travel to Melbourne, where it will be performed at the Regent Theatre from 6 to 16 June, before opening in Brisbane at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from 15 to 22 August.
The company’s 2026 mainstage program also includes Justin Peck’s Copland Dance Episodes, which will be presented in Melbourne from 23 June to 2 July and in Sydney from 6 to 21 November, and Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker, which will be performed in Melbourne from 24 to 31 October and in Sydney from 28 November to 16 December.
Ramos is also expected to appear as a guest artist internationally, extending the visibility of The Australian Ballet and its artists on major stages beyond Australia.