Jonathan Cope (1963-). British dancer and répétiteur

Jonathan Cope was born in Devon in 1963, and his initial training was in Wales. He studied at The Royal Ballet School from the age of 11, and joined The Royal Ballet in 1982. He was quickly promoted to soloist in 1995 and principal in 1986, establishing himself as a notable danseur noble. During his career with the company, Cope danced all the major classical roles, including Solor in La Bayadère and Jean de Brienne in Raymonda Act III. He was also acclaimed for his performances in ballets by Frederick Ashton, notably Beliaev in A Month in the Country and Palemon in Ondine, and also in ballets by Kenneth MacMillan, including Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling, Chevalier des Grieux in Manon and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. He created roles in a number of ballets by MacMillan, including Le Baiser de la fée and The Prince of the Pagodas, and also in ballets by Ashley Page, Wayne Eagling, David Bintley and Christopher Wheeldon.
When he retired from dancing in 2005, Jonathan Cope became a répétiteur for The Royal Ballet, a position he held until 2019. During this time he returned occasionally to the stage, and in 2012 took part in the Closing Ceremony for the London Olympic Games. In 2003 he won the South Bank Show Dance Award, and was also appointed a CBE for services to dance.