Central Launches 40th Anniversary Alumni Hall of Fame

Central School of Ballet was founded in 1982 by Ann Stannard and the late Christopher Gable to provide training for young people aiming for a career in the professional dance industry.  Central’s ballet-based training has provided the gateway to successful careers in world-leading dance companies and international musical theatre productions since then. 

Central’s 40th Anniversary is being celebrated this academic year, by highlighting the varied careers and considerable successes of dance graduates since the school was first opened to enthusiastic students.  The stories of 40 alumni are being featured in social media posts on Instagram and Facebook detailing career progression and personal insights.  A Hall of Fame featuring the same alumni will appear on Central’s website next year. 

The celebrations launched with Tom Edwards who graduated in 2013 and then joined Scottish Ballet.  Tom‘s talent was further recognised in the company when he was promoted to First Artist and then Soloist in 2018.  Tom commented: I owe my career to Central and every day I am thankful for the support, training and opportunities afforded to me.”

Tom has been back at Central this term working with the current Final Year students preparing a special piece of repertoire for next year’s Ballet Central tour.  It is hoped that the successes and varied careers of past students will encourage the current student cohort and those considering applying for Central’s Foundation Degree course in 2023.