I STA R S
ELMHURST BALLET SCHOOL
Performing
While many schools across the country offer exceptional teaching in music and drama, an elite band raise the bar still higher, with alumni lists that read like who’s who. So what does it take to study at a top performing arts school? By BERNADETTE JOHN
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f a Christmas trip to The Nutcracker or a show has left your child longing for a career in the spotlight, you may want to do your homework on schools for performing arts. First thing to note, your child needs to be resilient: there is stiff competition to get in (only one in 10 will get through the audition stage at some schools). There can be some weeding out mid-school – particularly in the ballet schools, when a change in physique or anything below top-level performance can result in the child being asked to leave. Apart from aptitude and resilience, the biggest consideration is the depth of yearning your son or daughter shows for dance, drama or music. The regime is punishing. They must fit in GCSE studies alongside several hours of tuition and practice each day, and they need to be highly disciplined and single-minded. If it’s a hobby rather than a compulsion, they may be better placed at a mainstream school with a strong performing
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