Sae Maeda and Marcelino Sambe in Chroma

Sae Maeda and Marcelino Sambe in Chroma, music by Joby Talbot, Jack White; choreography by Sir Wayne McGregor. Ballet Icons Gala 2026, London Coliseum 15.2.2026.

Sae Maeda and Marcelino Sambé are high-profile dancers with The Royal Ballet in London. While they are at different stages of their careers—Sambé being a veteran Principal and Maeda a rising First Soloist—they frequently share the stage, most recently performing Wayne McGregor’s Chroma together at the Ballet Icons Gala in February 2026.

Sae Maeda

First Soloist, The Royal Ballet

Originally from Yokohama, Japan, Maeda is known for her technical precision and delicate artistry.

• Background: She trained at the Mayumi Kinouchi Ballet School before moving to London on a Prix de Lausanne scholarship to attend The Royal Ballet School.
• Career Trajectory: She joined the company in 2017 and has had a rapid ascent, reaching First Soloist in 2024.
• Notable Roles: Her repertoire includes Clara (The Nutcracker), Princess Florine (The Sleeping Beauty), and Olga (Onegin). She has also been a standout in contemporary works like The Dante Project and Infra.

Marcelino Sambé

Principal, The Royal Ballet

A powerhouse dancer from Lisbon, Portugal, Sambé is one of the most celebrated male dancers of his generation, recognized for his explosive athleticism and charismatic stage presence.

• Background: He started with African dance before transitioning to classical ballet at the National Conservatory of Lisbon. Like Maeda, he was a standout at the Prix de Lausanne before joining The Royal Ballet Upper School.
• Career Trajectory: He joined the company in 2012 and was promoted to Principal in 2019.
• Notable Roles: He has performed nearly every major leading role, including Romeo, Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake), Albrecht (Giselle), and Colas (La Fille mal gardée).
• Choreography: Beyond dancing, Sambé is an emerging choreographer, frequently contributing to the company’s Draft Works showcase.

Photos by Jack Devant © with kind permission of the Ballet Icons Gala, special thanks to Olga Bakaleets