LOWER SCHOOL - White Lodge, Richmond Park

The Lower School is located at White Lodge in the heart of Richmond Park. It is here that our students begin their full time vocational training. The Lower School offers a five year course for students between the ages of 11-16 incorporating comprehensive classical ballet training together with excellent academic provision up to the GCSE Level.

Students at the Lower School will not only study classical ballet but other subjects such as Character, Contemporary, Gymnastics, Irish, Morris and Scottish dancing, and in the senior levels, Repertoire, Solos, Pas de deux and Upper Body for male students. From time to time students of the Lower School perform with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet in performance.

Auditions for the Lower School take place during the Spring Term. Successful applicants are offered a place beginning in September. Students are assessed each year to monitor their progress.

UPPER SCHOOL - Covent Garden, London

The Upper School offers a three year comprehensive course in classical ballet training for students between the ages of 16-18. In addition to their dance training the Upper School offers an excellent academic provision including A Levels and BTEC National Awards.

Students at the Upper School in their first two years will not only study classical ballet but other subjects such as Pas de deux, Solos, Repertoire, Character, Contemporary, Stagecraft, Make-up, Body Conditioning and Gym work for male students. In the 3rd and final year the students gain performance experience by performing with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and as a touring group.

In academic areas most students will complete one A level (current choice is from Art, English, Maths and French) and two BTEC National Awards in Performing Arts. (Students complete the award in Dance in the first year and Arts Management in the second.) For overseas students there is an excellent provision for English as a Foreign Language.

Auditions for the Upper School take place during the Spring Term. Successful applicants are offered a place beginning in September. Students are assessed regularly throughout the course to monitor their progress.

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The Junior, Mid and Senior Associates Programme exists for students between the ages of 8-15 to nurture young talented students in their pursuit of excellence in pre-vocational classical ballet training. Children aged 8-10 are known as Junior Associates, 11-13 as Mid Associates and students aged 14-15 as Senior Associates. The course is designed to augment and enhance an individual's current training and to introduce them to The Royal Ballet School's System of Training alongside other gifted children who aspire to a career in dance. The pupils will continue to study with their regular dance teacher in addition to their Associate classes.

PLEASE NOTE: We are pleased to announce that as from September 2010, Junior Associate classes in the Southwest of England will be held at our new associate centre: Dartington Space, in Totnes. Classes will no longer be held in Exeter from this time.
For further information please contact the Associates Department on +44(0)20 7845 7061.

Junior Associates: Classes are held in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Eastleigh (Southampton), Exeter, Leeds and Manchester. In London and Birmingham classes are offered on a weekly or fortnightly basis. All classes take place on a Saturday with the exception of Manchester.

Mid Associates: Classes are held in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds. All classes are held on Saturday.

Senior Associates: Classes are held in London and Birmingham and intended for those dancers who are considering auditioning for vocational training at 16 years.

Mid and Senior Associate boys are encouraged to attend classes at The Royal Ballet School's Upper School in Covent Garden, London.

Each session is 2 hours 15 mins in length and includes classical ballet based on The Royal Ballet School's System of Training. National dance, historical dance, natural movement and pointe work are included as appropriate to the students' age and development. The course also incorporates exercise programmes devised and developed by the School's physiotherapist. In London the course provides classes specifically designed for the young male dancer. Successful applicants for the Mid and Senior Associates are offered an initial year's course beginning in September and are appraised annually as to their suitability for further training.

Since the inception of the programme many Associate pupils have progressed through the Lower and Upper School into the Royal Ballet Companies. Associates sometimes perform with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other ballet companies.

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The Royal Ballet School's International Summer Schools Dance Teachers' Observation Scheme will run from Monday 19th July to Friday 23rd July and Monday 26th July to Friday 30th July 2010.
Dance teachers are welcome to observe classes both at the Upper School, Covent Garden, London (for senior students aged 15-18) and at the Lower School, White Lodge, Richmond Park, Surrey (for junior students aged 10-14).
Classes for observation include:
White Lodge Summer School for students 10-14 years
Classical Ballet, National Dance, Repertoire, Contemporary, Introduction to Pointe Work (girls 10-12 years), Pointe Work (girls 13-14 years), Jazz, Creative Dance, Body Conditioning Exercises, Lectures and Demonstrations
Covent Garden Summer School for students 15-18 years
Classical Ballet, Repertoire, Pas de deux, Contemporary, Character Dance, Jazz, Body Conditioning, Pointe Work, Lectures and Demonstrations

Faculty
A distinguished faculty from The Royal Ballet School led by Director, Gailene Stock AM and renowned international guest teachers.
Please click here for an application form (pdf)
Please click here for a payment form.(pdf)

The Royal Ballet School offers an International Summer School for young dancers from the UK and overseas. Courses are held at the Upper School in Covent Garden, London and the Lower School at White Lodge, Richmond, during Summer 2010.

Courses:
Guest teachers from The Royal Ballet and other leading ballet companies and organisations join staff from The Royal Ballet School to make up a distinguished teaching faculty, providing classes in a variety of dance styles, under the guidance of our Director, Gailene Stock AM. Students on both courses may be given the opportunity to attend a ballet performance or a dress rehearsal and will participate in an end-of-course demonstration attended by parents/guardians and invited guests.

There are NO AUDITIONS for the White Lodge and Covent Garden International Summer Schools. Candidates are selected by The Royal Ballet School's Director by PHOTO APPLICATION ONLY.

Applications available: Please click here to download the form (pdf)
Application closing date: 1 March 2010

White Lodge Summer School (10-14 years)
1 week course (10-14 years) either: 18 July - 24 July 2010 or: 26 July - 31 July 2010
2 week course (13-14 years only): 18 July - 31 July 2010

The White Lodge Summer School is held at our Lower School in Richmond Park. Students aged 10-14 may apply for one or other of the one-week residential courses. Students aged 13-14 only may also apply for the two-week course. Residential places are in our newly refurbished boarding houses as used by our full-time students. Some non-residential places may be available. The course offers classes including Classical Ballet, National Dance, Repertoire, Jazz, Mime, Contemporary, Creative Dance, Body Conditioning and Pointe (as appropriate).

Covent Garden Summer School (15 - 18 years)
2 Week Course - Non Residential
Students aged 15-18 Years
18 July - 31 July 2010

The Covent Garden Summer School is held at our Upper School in Covent Garden, London. All students must attend the full two-week course. The course offers classes including Classical Technique, Pointe, Repertoire, Pas de Deux, Character Dance, Jazz, Body Conditioning and Contemporary.

Please note that accommodation is not included in this course. Younger students may apply to be accommodated at the School's supervised hostels, subject to availability. General hotel information and costs of accommodation in Central London will be sent by the Summer School Office to those offered places. It is the responsibility of the individual student's family/guardian to arrange accommodation.

Summer School application forms will be available in December.

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OUTREACH EVENTS help potential students find out more about the School - for example, Audition Insight Days for discovering what is expected at audition or JA for a Day to find out more about becoming a Junior Associate. Super Sundays are a rare masterclass opportunity to work with some of the finest dancers and teachers in ballet, including recently Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo and Francesca Zumbo. Outreach events may also include Music Workshops for pianists and Teacher Invitation Days for past teachers of current students at the School.

OUTREACH EVENTS CALENDAR

Super Sunday with Scott Alan Prouty from l'Ecole de Danse de l'Opéra de Paris Sunday 26 September	An opportunity for young dancers aged 9-13 years to experience a Musical Expression Class taught by Scott Alan Prouty. Closing date: 1 September This event has now SOLD OUT however there are still places for teacher observation.	The Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden
Super Sunday with Steven McRae: Classical Ballet & Variation Coaching Sunday 10 October	Open to male dancers (15-19 years at 31 August 2010). The Outreach Programme presents an exciting opportunity to be taught and coached by internationally renowned Royal Ballet Principal and Graduate of The Royal Ballet School, Steven McRae. Closing Date: 1 September	The Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden
Master Classes in Jersey and Guernsey Saturday, September 18th and Sunday, September 19th	Master classes for young dancers from the Channel Islands with parent and dance teacher observation. This event is sponsored by Mrs Hayley de Putron from De Putron Fund Management (Guernsey) Ltd.	Jersey Opera House, St Helier, Jersey and The Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts, St Peter Port, Guernsey
Be a JA for a Day Monday, October 25th (8-9 years) Tuesday, October 26th (9-10 years)	An opportunity for students aged between 8-10 as at 31st August 2011 to experience a typical Junior Associate’s class with parent and dance teacher observation. Applications available from 1st September. Closing date: Monday, October 4th	The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden
Audition Insight Day Wednesday, October 27th	An opportunity for students aged between 11-13 and 14-16 as at 31st August 2011. This event is devised as a “mock” audition and the day is aimed at dispelling the myths and legends about audition procedures with parent and dance teacher observation. Applications available from 1st September. Closing date: Monday, October 4th	The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden
Associate Experience at The Gleneagles Hotel Sat 30th and Sunday, October 31st	An opportunity for young dancers aged 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16 to be taught by The Royal Ballet School teachers with parent and dance teacher observation. Applications available from 1st September. Closing date: Monday, October 4th	The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland
Super Sunday with Royal Ballet Principal, Tamara Rojo Sunday, November 7th	A ballet class for female ballet students aged between 15-18 followed by variation coaching with internationally renowned Royal Ballet Principal, Tamara Rojo Applications available from 1st September. Closing date: Monday, October 4th	The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden

For further information please contact:
Laurajane Lavender (Outreach Events Coordinator)
The Royal Ballet School, 46 Floral Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DA, UK

tel: +44 (0)20 7845 7064 | fax: +44 (0)20 7845 7067 or email tlink@royalballetschool.co.uk

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