KATE HESTER

Kate Hester is a professional ballet dancer and illustrator based in London, working across performance, visual design, and creative direction.

She trained at Central School of Ballet and previously danced with companies in Europe, performing internationally before returning to the UK to freelance. Her performance credits include appearances at the Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Sadler’s Wells, the London Palladium, and the Peacock Theatre. Kate continues to perform regularly while working with choreographers, and independent productions across the UK and Europe.

Alongside her dance career, Kate runs a growing illustration and design practice specialising in ballet, theatre, and storytelling-led visual work. Since 2020, she has created artwork for retail, marketing, publishing, and education, collaborating with organisations including the Royal Ballet and Opera and London Children’s Ballet. Her work spans illustration, branding, product design, print collections, and children’s activity books, with projects sold in major cultural institutions and shops.

She is represented by Angharad Kowal Stannus Agency for illustration and creative work.

Kate is known for combining strong visual identity with an insider understanding of the performing arts industry, allowing her to create work that is both commercially effective and artistically authentic. She frequently collaborates with creative teams on commissions ranging from book illustration and merchandise design to promotional campaigns and educational resources.

She continues to balance both careers, performing professionally while expanding her work as an illustrator and creative consultant.