A Busy Dance Year!
As always, it has been a very busy year here at Ballet Boost. With auditions being held across the country, new branches opening and our annual assessments being held in each venue, our team of staff and teachers have been working hard to ensure the maintenance of an extremely high standard of teaching. There have been many student success stories to share, and an ever-increasing number of pupils joining our associate classes. In total we now have over 700 students on our books, with over 600 attending our ABA and BBA programmes. We are very excited to announce a new BBA venue in Newcastle-Under-Lyme in 2020… watch this space!
Nominated for Dance Educator IADMS Awards
An amazing result for such a prestigious accolade. Ballet Boost founder, Emma Northmore was nominated for the Dance Educator IADMS award, and reached the finals! This award is given to a teacher who is committed to furthering and crediting safe and progressive practices in the dance world, and who has a desire to make a difference to the training practices here in the UK.
Launch of ABA Saturday
We are excited to announce the launch of our addition to the Academy of Balletic Arts. We have now extended these weekday classes to Saturdays, held in North London. Places are allocated via application to Emma personally, and are designed for those who are seriously considering a career in classical ballet. We commenced these classes in September 2019 and they have been a great success.
Student Success
There have been MANY successes this year, including an amazing number of students gaining places at full time Vocational schools. Jessica Templeton: Royal Ballet School; Anya Mercer: English National Ballet School; Jemima Burfield: English National Ballet School; Issie Wood: Central School of Ballet; Sacha Barber: Zurich School; Sacha Dobrynin – Lait: White Lodge; Ruben Garcia: White Lodge.
There have been lots of students gaining places at LCB, NYB, SYB, ENB Youth Ballet and Birmingham Royal’s “Swan Lake Dreams” Project. Unfortunately, there are too many names to mention everyone in person… however we congratulate each and every student on these great outcomes!
Carys Rowland won Young Dancer of the Year, and many students have achieved amazing results in local competitions and festivals – including places at the All England Finals, and also the Dance World Cup.
We have had three students entering the YAGP: Luca Mollica, Anabelle Paton and Natalie Henry. Luca was awarded a six-week scholarship to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in New York. Luca and Natalie were both awarded a week’s scholarship at Dutch National Ballet summer school. Natalie reached the finals and was also awarded a week’s scholarship to the ballet school in Munich. They all danced beautifully, and we are very proud of their achievements in such a prestigious competition.
Leonardo Pirzio-Biroli won a full scholarship to attend the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in the US.
We have several students gaining places at the RBS Spring intensive and RBS associate programmes. We are very pleased to be working alongside the RBS to develop the high-quality training of the children. Tia Weaving successfully auditioned for Royal Ballet Senior Associates.
Students are also attending Yorkshire Ballet Seminars in 2020, and Elmhurst Summer School.
Emily Morgan was a member of Wyke College Dance Troupe who were crowned overall winners of the That’s Showbiz National Dance Competition, along with Kate Hiron. Sienna Coakley successfully competed at the British Arts Awards and is through to the next round. Annabel Farley has recently been nominated to attend the International Theatre Dance awards in Manchester by her ballet examiner. Aimee Rowlands has competed in the British Championships in the summer and reached the top 37 from 132 competitors. Aimee also attends the Junior Associate programme at Northern Ballet.
Dorothy Wheeler performed in The Magic Flute at the Royal Opera House in November.
Several students are taking part in pantomimes and shows over Christmas, and we wish them all luck!
“Phoebe and I would like to say thank you for a wonderful first term at Ballet Boost. Phoebe enjoys her classes immensely, and as a bonus we have made some wonderful new friends too. Thank you so much for such a warm welcome into Ballet Boost!”
“Thank you to her wonderful Ballet Boost teacher Natalia Barbara (our current ABAS teacher), Keeva feels that she has learned so much in the past few months.”
“I want to thank Miss Emma for all her support of Jack’s ballet and everything she is doing for him. Without her generosity and support, Jack would not be where he is today.”
Dates for Your Diary
New Year Masterclass with Yosvani Ramos
Friday 3rd January, 10:00-1:30pm at Pineapple Studios. This masterclass is designed for students aged 13 years +, Year 8 + and Intermediate level and above. A perfect way to kick-start the new year, with virtuosity and repertoire, together with discussions about injuries and how to handle their impact effectively through training and rehab. Cost: £60.
Back to Ballet: August 2020: dates tbc.
Designed to help prepare students for going back to classes<br /> after the summer holidays – with a mixture of body conditioning and class work.
Summer Course: 27th July – 31st July at Pineapple Studios.
An inspiring week with a high-class selection of guest teachers to ensure students learn, have fun and make connections necessary for progressing in the world of ballet. Junior, Mid & Senior courses from 8-18 years. Students will be grouped by both age and ability. Cost: £370 Mid & Senior, £310 Junior.
Easter Course: 7th , 8th and 9th April at Pineapple Studios
Our Easter and Summer courses have now become more selective to ensure a vocational standard. The application process remains open to ALL students, but those not in vocational training will be required to submit some photographs. Junior and Senior courses from Aged 10 +, Year 6 and above. Cost: £230.
Audition Dates
Audition applications are now open for all BBA courses. Click below to find dates and apply to your chosen venue.
Scholarship Fund
We are continuing our scholarship fund to enable us to offer more financial support to families for both BBA and ABA students in need of assistance. If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please contact us at finance@balletboost.com. All money donated will go directly to those needing help. Thank you so much – your help will make a real difference and means we can offer more students the chance to fulfil their dreams.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to welcoming you all back in 2020 which we hope will be a successful and happy year for all!
Best wishes,
Emma and the Ballet Boost team x
