Meet the Artist: Joseph Caley

Get to Know the Guest Dancer Onstage in RAYMONDA

This season Guest Artist Joseph Caley joins us to dance the role of John de Bryan in Rojo’s Raymonda. Caley is an international guest artist, Principal Artist with the Australian Ballet, and has previously danced with English National Ballet. His Principal roles include Siegfried in Anne Woolliams’ Swan Lake, Romeo in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, Oberon in Frederick Ashton’s The Dream, Colas in Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée, and Franz in Peter Wright’s Coppélia. He trained at the Royal Ballet School and was awarded the Young Adeline Genée Awards and a scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne.

Get to know John de Bryan: The male lead in the ballet, he is a soldier in the Crimean War. As Raymonda’s fiancé, he represents duty, honor, and the expectations of a structured life. His character embodies the ideals of a noble and heroic figure, yet he is also a symbol of the rigid societal norms that Raymonda ultimately challenges. While he offers stability and a traditional future, his presence contrasts that of Abdur Rahman, who presents Raymonda with a compelling alternative. John de Bryan’s role is pivotal in highlighting Raymonda’s journey toward independence and self-discovery, making him more than just a romantic interest—he becomes a representation of convention versus personal agency.

We sat down with Joseph to get to know him and his portrayal of this character.

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET: What is your relationship to this ballet?

Joseph Caley: I danced John de Bryan for the first time in 2022 with English National ballet when then Artistic Director Tamara Rojo created this version. I see John as a proud military leader. He does everything to the letter of the law, very regimented. With women he’s not so smooth, a little clunky, but does what he believes is expected of him.  

SFB: What is his relationship to Raymonda?

JC: I believe he loves her but isn’t the romantic type of guy and he thinks it’s the right thing to do to propose to Raymonda before going off to war.  

SFB: Is this an especially challenging role technically and/or emotionally?

JC:  The most challenging thing is the dancing! It’s a very demanding role and some of the technical steps are extremely difficult.  While this ballet is definitely technically challenging. It’s the hardest thing about the ballet but I’d say being able to portray the character while executing the difficult steps is a challenge too.  

SFB: How do you feel dancing here with San Francisco Ballet for the first time?

JC: I’m looking forward to catching up with my classmate from school, Aaron Robison and some of my colleagues that were at English National Ballet. I also love seeing how other companies work and feeling the vibe of the company. I’ve never been to San Francisco so I’m excited to see it.  

Joseph Caley and Sasha De Sola dance John de Bryan and Raymonda in Rojo’s Raymonda on Saturday, March 1st at 8 pm and Tuesday, March 4th at 7:30 pm.

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