English National Ballet School

CONTENTS Our mission …………………………………………………………… 1 Chairman’s introduction ……………………………………… 2 Director’s introduction ………………………………………… 4 Commitment and expectation …………………………… 6 Dance training and academic programme ………… 8 Performing opportunities…………………………………… 10 Fitness to dance ………………………………………………… 13 Pastoral care ……………………………………………………… 14 A day in the life ………………………………………………… 16 School facilities ………………………………………………… 19 About English National Ballet …………………………… 21 Location ……………………………………………………………… 22

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OUR MISSION TO BE A

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR YOUNG

DANCER DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING

INTENSIVE

BALLET TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR STUDENTS TO ENTER A

PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

English National Ballet School provides ballet training for 16-19 year olds, enabling graduates to achieve a level of artistry and technique required by English National Ballet and other international classical ballet companies.

As a School, we are passionate about training and educating young dancers to a high level of technical skill and artistic interpretation in ballet.

We pride ourselves in providing students with the necessary broad skills and knowledge to develop as versatile dancers, so that they are able to meet the demands of the changing environment of professional dance.

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CHAIRMAN

ELIZABETH LADY ARNOLD “At English National Ballet School we are very clear about our mission – to enable students to achieve excellence in classical ballet and provide a happy, caring, supportive and professional environment,” says Elizabeth, Lady Arnold, the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

“ Our mission at the School is to turn talented young dancers into aspiring professionals with the necessary discipline and skills to manage the rigours of performance.

The students are aware that they have chosen a very demanding career path. At the School we match their commitment and dedication with an excellent training programme to prepare them for the challenges they will face as professionals.

The School is always moving forward and our talented and skilful teachers make sure they keep up to date with new dance training techniques.

We have introduced a three year course that gives our students scope for extra performance opportunities and allows them more time to develop as dancers.

In the first year we focus on building up the student’s physical strength and skills.

In the second year we concentrate on perfecting their artistry and technique, and enable them to experience other dance disciplines such as Contemporary and Jazz. Finally, those students who stay at the School for the third year have extensive performing opportunities, especially with English National Ballet.

At English National Ballet School, I am very proud to say we produce thinking dancers, who have received a first class training and leave us equipped with the necessary life skills to go on to lead successful lives in the world of dance.”

Right Second year students rehearsing for end of year performances.

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Far right Second year students in performance.

DIRECTOR

JANE HACKETT At English National Ballet School, we aim to give our students the best possible preparation for a successful career as professional dancers.

The school offers a rich and stimulating curriculum taught by highly experienced teachers and guest artists of international renown.

English National Ballet School training develops artistry, musicality and performance quality, underpinned by clean, strong technique.

The experience of working to professional standards with leading choreographers and directors ensures that students can respond creatively and confidently to different working environments. Our graduates are to be found in top companies throughout the world, most notably in our own company, English National Ballet.

We challenge our students to achieve their very best, as well as supporting their learning in all areas and providing opportunities to develop their full potential as dance artists and as intelligent young people.

This focus on dancers’ artistic development, combined with the unique health and fitness programme, ensures that the school remains at the forefront of dance education and training.

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COMMITMENT AND

EXPECTATION English National Ballet School is committed to providing all students with the opportunity to: • train to professional standards, developing technical precision and artistic interpretation • experience training and education in a warm and caring environment, that enables students to thrive and develop artistically and academically • perform a varied repertoire in a variety of settings • access the international dance community through visiting dance teachers and performance opportunities abroad • develop as individuals and nurture their strengths and personalities • enjoy a stimulating curriculum and take part in an active outreach programme.

The School strives to be as inclusive as possible and welcomes applications from students with different abilities and additional needs, offering extra support where possible.

A preliminary audition is held in the Spring term, with final auditions over a weekend at the end of that term. Overseas students may audition by video. Short courses are held to assist prospective students in preparing for audition and gaining information about full time training and life at English National Ballet School.

Successful applicants are chosen because of their aptitude and potential for professional careers in dance, not their ability to pay. The School is proud of its commitment to equal opportunities and works continuously to raise money for scholarships, ensuring that no talented student is disadvantaged by lack of financial means.

The School is responsive to the needs of students and has a modern and realistic view of what is required to succeed in today’s world as a professional dancer.

To meet the increasing demands made upon young dancers, the School now offers a third year of training, in addition to the two-year National Certificate in Professional Dance.

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DANCE TRAINING AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

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English National Ballet School is first and foremost a ballet school. We also set store by students receiving a good allround education to prepare them for a future career in dance and provide a broad course of academic study.

Our students have the opportunity to graduate as trained professional dancers, having acquired the necessary life skills for long and successful careers.

The 2004, OFSTED inspection awarded the School a Grade 1 and noted that key strengths were “outstanding teaching” and “high technical and artistic skills of students”. English National Ballet School is the only vocational school in the United Kingdom to enter students for the Elementary Solo exam of the Benesh Movement Notation Institute. ‘A’ Level and Benesh results are consistently among the highest in the UK.

The teachers at the School are part of the international dance community and they often act as guest teachers for ballet companies abroad. As well as the quality teaching provided by the School’s own staff, their training is enriched by visiting guest teachers. These guest teachers are from English National Ballet Company and other companies worldwide. The students benefit enormously from this wealth of experience and the links with the international dance fraternity.

Above Head of Dance Antony Dowson coaching a second year student.

The two-year course leads to the National Certificate in Professional Dance, validated

by Trinity College, London. After successful completion of the second year, the School now offers a third year focussing on professional preparation.

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PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES Right Students performing in the 2004 Gala.

Far right Solo from Paquita. School performance 2005.

English National Ballet School’s philosophy is that ‘every opportunity to dance is a performance opportunity’. This belief drives the School’s approach to the development of dancers and the expectation that students should be professional at all times.

There are a variety of opportunities for students not only to perform, but also to take on professional engagements during their training at the School.

The curriculum includes opportunities to showcase the work of the students to audiences and directors in the UK and abroad. The three-year course has increased the scope of performance opportunities for students, as every third year student experiences life with a professional dance company through the the professional preparation programme.

The students have the opportunity to perform with the corps de ballet of English National Ballet Company and currently over 20% of dancers with the Company are graduates of the School. Recently students danced in English National Ballet’s Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet.

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As well as the School’s own performances which take place at least twice a year, students gain additional skills through participation in workshops for local primary schools, which is part of a regular programme of outreach work.

Students also go abroad to perform and enter prestigious competitions such as the Prix de Lausanne and the Royal Academy of Dance’s Adeline Genée competition.

Being based in London, the students often get the chance to perform in world-class venues like the Royal Albert Hall.

Students experience a wide range of performance opportunities, which have included taking part in a performance sequence in the film Upside of Anger, starring Kevin Costner.

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A high priority for English National Ballet School is the students’ health and physical welfare. The School has introduced an innovative programme of physical fitness specially designed for dance students. The aim of this programme is to develop the students’ technical skills by improving their general health, fitness and stamina.

The programme helps students to meet the ever-increasing technical and choreographic demands made on dancers today.

Visiting lecturers who are specialists in the fields of nutrition, sports psychology and physiotherapy supplement the core curriculum. The School values this knowledge as part of the essential preparation for a career as a professional dancer. It helps students to understand their physiques and to prevent injuries wherever possible.

At the School we want the students to feel both mentally and physically in peak condition, so that they can achieve excellence in their performance.

The School’s emphasis on fitness to dance and on a “healthy dancer programme” is about attention to allround fitness that is achieved through a combination of regular aerobics classes, Pilates, body conditioning, weighttraining and education about nutrition.

FITNESS TO DANCE

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PASTORAL CARE

At English National Ballet School the welfare, health and general well being of our students is extremely important to us. We are delighted that the students frequently describe the School as ‘feeling like a family’. Our aim is to create an atmosphere that is welcoming, inclusive and professional.

Every student has a personal tutor who is available to offer guidance and support. Other staff members are always very happy to be of help where they can.

A School Counsellor is available at any time if a student needs extra support or professional advice.

The School is aware that students have entered an unfamiliar environment and for some, the move to London is their first time away from home. We endeavour to make the transition as easy and stress-free as possible.

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It is important that students feel comfortable and secure in their living accommodation. We take great care to ensure students are directed toward suitable lodgings and most students live at hostels recommended by the School.

We do not generally encourage first year students to take on the responsibility of a flat on their own.

All students are required to register with a National Health Service General Practitioner. If there is an emergency, the School’s Medical Advisor is available.

Every student must have private medical insurance. This can be arranged through the School. At School, a Chartered Physiotherapist provides three preventative and remedial clinics a week.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE “Even when I was very young, I could never imagine myself working in an office, or somewhere like that. I started my first dance class when I was four years old, and I loved it.”

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Kelvin Au, from Hong Kong, is now 19 years old and is a second year student at English National Ballet School.

He is extremely positive about his experience of the School and his future as a professional dancer.

“I’ve learned so many things at the School. I feel I am not only prepared for a professional life as a dancer, but also for life.

“The School has encouraged me to take my ‘A’ levels, so that I will always have something to fall back on other than dancing. I have also received an education about the importance of allround physical well-being – what to eat – and a training schedule that has taught me how to become physically stronger.

“I’ve had some great opportunities to perform and train. I worked with English National Ballet for three months.

It was fantastic to be part of the Company, but very tough. It was both mentally very tiring and physically draining. It was brilliant to have the chance to build on what I have learned at the School. Members of the Company were like artistic and technical role models for me. Also during that time I developed my confidence and stamina to perform every night.

“At the School it feels like being part of a family. The teachers and the other staff are all very friendly and approachable. I don’t have time to feel homesick at all.

The days are very full with dancing, training, performing or rehearsing. I am with students from all around the world.

It makes life very interesting.

Above Kelvin out and about in London and working hard at the School.

Far right Kelvin rehearsing.

On graduation Kelvin will take up a contract with National Ballet of Portugal.

“I’m so excited about getting a job. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the School and learned a lot. I’m now ready to work as a ‘real’ dancer.”

A typical day for Kelvin…

8am – arrives at the School Preparation body conditioning and sit ups Two hours dance class Break Academic studies Pas de deux Break Repertoire or Jazz or Contemporary 6.30pm – finish with stretch and relax before going home for dinner

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SCHOOL FACILITIES English National Ballet School occupies a large first floor area in a traditional Victorian red brick building in a quiet street in Chelsea.

The School’s atmosphere is warm and welcoming, whilst still maintaining the air of a place of study and learning.

The corridors are filled with the sound of classical music from the dance studios and there is a real buzz as students move around getting on with their daily activities.

As well as the sprung floor dance studios, there is a body conditioning studio and a weight training room. There are also a number of dedicated rooms for physiotherapy.

The School has a well-stocked library and a study room, with computers providing internet access. There is ample space for the young people to relax in the student lounge.

The School is very proud that part of dance history was preserved when the seating from the old Sadlers Wells theatre was rescued and installed in the studio balcony.

At present, we regret that the School premises are not easily accessible as they can only be reached by stairs.

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“The relationship between a company and its school is so important in developing the artists of the future. There are many dancers in English National Ballet who have graduated from our own School.” Wayne Eagling

ABOUT

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET English National Ballet is one of the world’s great ballet companies. Founded

by Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin in 1950, the original vision for the Company was to take classical ballet of the highest quality to the widest geographical audience, at a price everyone could afford. This remains the cornerstone of the Company’s philosophy today.

As a flagship company for the nation, English National Ballet presents an extensive touring schedule at home and overseas. The Company employs the best of British and international talent; choreographers, dancers, designers, musicians, rehearsal staff, technicians and administrators, who all work as an ensemble to create productions that tour brilliantly and are accessible and exciting to audiences.

English National Ballet School was founded in 1988 and was originally based at Markova House, the home of the Company. The links between the School and the Company remain strong, and English National Ballet School is a crucial resource in providing the Company with talented young dancers.

The Company has a full time complement of over 60 dancers.

English National Ballet is committed to developing the art form by: • keeping the cornerstones of the classical repertoire vibrantly alive • commissioning and acquiring new works • refurbishing existing works • encouraging new choreographers to work with performers.

As a touring Company, English National Ballet is committed to taking large-scale classical ballet around the UK and internationally. The Company is known for its touring and its ability to present works from the classical repertoire in a variety of forms and locations.

Far left Daria Klimentova and Dmitri Gruzdyev dance Giselle in English National Ballet’s production.

Opposite left to right ENBS graduates and company members Jenna Lee, Erina Takahashi and James Streeter.

Below Wayne Eagling Artistic Director of English National Ballet.

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Below left to right Female students’ halls of residence, Big Ben, British Museum, Harrods, Coliseum, Royal Albert Hall, National Portrait Gallery and London Eye.

SCHOOL LOCATION English National Ballet School is situated in the heart of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in south-west London, very close to the famous and fashionable King’s Road. The immediate area is residential with good shopping and restaurants near by and whilst a busy location, it does not have the stresses and congestion of London’s West End. The students have easy access to some of the most famous landmarks and institutions in London, like the Royal Albert Hall, Royal College of Music and Harrods.

London offers students a wealth of opportunities to enhance their cultural and artistic development outside the School curriculum. The capital city offers the most exciting and vibrant arts community with thriving world-class ballet, theatre, opera, art galleries and museums.

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Cultural visits to galleries, museums and performances are organised by the School as part of the academic curriculum, and students are also strongly encouraged to visit these venues independently. Such opportunities and experiences serve to augment their future careers in the theatre and the arts.

The School is well served by London Underground transport and bus services and is within safe walking distance of the living accommodation provided by nearby recommended hostels.