Brenda Last

Born in London, Brenda Last was British dancer of note and ballet mistress too. She studied with Volkova and at the Royal Ballet School and joined Western Theatre Ballet in 1957 creating roles in Darrell's A Wedding Present (1962), among others. In 1963 she joined the Touring Company of the Royal Ballet, becoming principal in 1965. A tiny, quick, extrovert dancer she created roles in several ballets including Ashton's Creatures of Prometheus (1970) and P. Wright's Arpège (1975). She was appointed ballet mistress of the Royal Ballet's New Group in 1974, while still dancing principal roles, notably Swanilda. She remained with Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet until 1977, then became director of Norwegian National Ballet (1977-80), after which she returned to teach in London.

Brenda is currently Director of Training at the BBO and is an international guest teacher.