Creative Team

Sindy Monson is the Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Balletto Monson, leading the company's artistic vision through the creation of original ballet and interdisciplinary performance. With more than three decades of professional experience as a dancer, choreographer and director, she is dedicated to developing innovative work that reimagines ballet for contemporary audiences.

Following a freelance performing career with companies including Pendulum Arts Company, Sarah Morris and Dancers and Images USA, Sindy premiered her first professional choreography at Sadler's Wells in 1995 before becoming Resident Choreographer for Pendulum Arts Company.

Her choreographic work spans classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballet, musical theatre, screen dance and mixed-media performance. Recent choreographic works include Echo Lines (2025), Pie Jesu (2024), Orion’s Belt (2022) and Seasons (2021), with a wider portfolio of commissioned work created for professional companies, universities and schools.

Alongside Balletto Monson, Sindy founded Ballet Academy Scotland and Ballet Grand Prix, contributing to the development of ballet training and performance in Scotland. Her work continues to shape Balletto Monson's distinctive artistic identity through original choreography, collaboration and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical ballet.

Nicholas Shoesmith is Rehearsal Director and Choreographer of Balletto Monson, supporting the development of the company's repertoire while creating original choreography for stage and screen.

A graduate of The Australian Ballet School, Nicholas danced with Scottish Ballet from 2012 to 2022, performing works by leading international choreographers including Crystal Pite, Matthew Bourne, David Dawson and Christopher Hampson. In 2019, he received a Critics' Circle National Dance Award nomination for Outstanding Male Classical Performance.

Alongside his performing career, Nicholas established himself as a choreographer, creating acclaimed digital and stage works for Scottish Ballet, including The Fates, Catalyst, Odyssey, Breathless and Trifecta. His freelance commissions have included work for theatre, film, conservatoires and commercial productions in the UK and internationally.

At Balletto Monson, Nicholas combines his experience as both performer and choreographer to guide rehearsals, develop new work and support the company's collaborative and contemporary artistic practice.

Benoît Egloff is Artistic Development Lead at Balletto Monson, bringing an international performing career and extensive teaching experience to the artistic development of the company and its dancers.

After training at the Paris Opera Ballet School and the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse, Benoît performed with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and Ballet Basel, touring internationally in both classical and contemporary repertoire before establishing a freelance career in the UK.

Since relocating to Scotland, he has taught, coached and staged work for organisations including Scottish Ballet, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, The Royal Ballet School, Scottish Youth Ballet, Dance Base Edinburgh and the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programme.

Holding both the French Diplôme d'État de Professeur de Danse in Classical Ballet and the Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE), Benoît brings a wealth of international experience to Balletto Monson, where he supports the company's artistic development through coaching, mentoring and the continued growth of its dancers.

Alice Abbott is a Dance Artist with Balletto Monson, performing across the company’s repertoire. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BA in Modern Ballet, she has performed professionally throughout Europe with companies including Ballet de Barcelona and Ukrainian Classical Ballet.

Alongside her company work, Alice has built a varied freelance career, performing in dance films, music videos and collaborative creative projects. She also teaches at DN Dance and Elite Academy of Dance, sharing her experience with the next generation of dancers.

At Balletto Monson, Alice brings exceptional classical technique, focus and a meticulous approach to her artistry, contributing precision, clarity and depth to the company’s repertoire.

Susannah Forsyth is a Dance Artist with Balletto Monson. Originally from New Zealand, she began her training through the New Zealand School of Dance’s Aspirational programme before continuing at Chilton Ballet Academy and the New Zealand School of Dance’s full-time classical programme.

She later moved to the UK to study at Elmhurst Ballet School, where she received the Tait Memorial Trust’s Leanne Benjamin Award. Following graduation with a Trinity Diploma in Professional Dance Performance, she completed the Grad2Pro programme in Birmingham and was awarded a Gold Medal at the Contemporary Ballet Artist Competition in 2026.

Combining refined classical technique with a contemporary sensibility, Susannah brings elegance, musicality and a warm artistic presence to Balletto Monson’s repertoire, with a generosity that enriches her work as a performer.

Willow Monson is a Dance Artist and Emerging Choreographer with Balletto Monson, where she performs with the company while developing her choreographic practice. A graduate of KS Dance (Kate Simmons) with a Trinity Diploma in Professional Dance Performance, she has developed a dynamic and expressive movement style.

Willow has performed with Scottish Youth Ballet and Allegrodance Touring Company, with stage highlights including leading roles as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Artemis in Orion’s Belt, the Wicked Sister in Cinderella and the lead Sylph in Les Sylphides. She has also performed soloist roles in The Door and Seasons. With Balletto Monson, Willow has originated leading roles in the dance film Pie Jesu and the solo work Echo Lines.

Alongside her performance career, Willow is an emerging choreographer. She has received choreography awards through Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Grand Prix–Scotland and Ballet Academy Scotland, was selected as a HotHouse Choreographer through Scottish Ballet and YDance in 2023, and created a commissioned work for the Contemporary Ballet Artists Finals in 2026.

As both a dance artist and emerging choreographer with Balletto Monson, Willow brings expressive artistry, creative curiosity and a dynamic physicality to her performance and creative work with the company.

Rony Singh is a Dance Artist with Balletto Monson, bringing a dynamic performance background spanning contemporary dance, jazz and musical theatre.

After completing his professional diploma at Hamilton Theatre Arts, Rony graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BA in Dance Artistry. During his studies, he performed featured roles including Thomas Shelby in Red Right Hand and Jigger in Carousel.

His professional credits include work for Netflix, Police Scotland, Go Dance Festival, PLUG Festival and commercial campaigns, alongside choreographic commissions for PLUG Festival and Glasgow Philharmonia.

With a performance style shaped by power, creativity and generosity, Rony brings dynamic presence and a collaborative spirit to Balletto Monson’s evolving repertoire.

Alana Smith-Saville is a Dance Artist with Balletto Monson. Originally from Orkney, she trained at the Dance School of Scotland before graduating from Northern Ballet School’s Classical Focus programme with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance.

During her training, she performed principal roles including Fleur de Lys in Esmeralda and the Principal Ballerina in Études. Following graduation, she joined Ballet Cymru’s Pre-Professional Programme, performing with the company in Giselle, before dancing with Brecon Festival Ballet in The Nutcracker and New Works Ballet Theatre as Psyche in Sylvia.

At Balletto Monson, Alana brings technical excellence, grace and a compelling stage presence to the company’s repertoire, with an expressive approach that reveals both sensitivity and strength.

Oliver Anwyl is Creative Producer of Balletto Monson and Director of Dance Horizons, an organisation dedicated to supporting and presenting dance artists and companies. Since founding Dance Horizons in 2013, he has produced performance platforms, touring opportunities, and artistic development programmes, including the Innovations Contemporary Dance Platform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, supporting artists across the UK and internationally.