New Junior Associate Programme at Central School of Ballet

Central School of Ballet has announced a new pre-vocational course for aspiring dancers available at the School from September 2023. The course will offer young dancers aged 8 – 11 the opportunity to attend six Saturdays of intensive training over the course of the academic year. These Saturdays will take place at the beginning and end of each half term in October, February, and May.

The Junior Associate Programme aims to enhance dancers’ training, complimenting regular ballet classes in local schools. The programme includes Ballet, Body Conditioning, and Creative Movement in order to prepare dancers for full time, vocational ballet training by developing technique, strength, and artistry.

Jo Hurst, the Associate School and Short Courses Manager, spoke about her goals for the new programme: “Expanding our pre-vocational courses to younger dancers aged 8-11 is an exciting next step for Central in being able to guide dancers from the beginning of their training. The Junior Associate Programme will support young dancers to realise their potential at an early stage of their training and work with them to prepare for the more advanced Associate Programme and eventually degree level courses. We look forward to meeting talented young dancers from around the country at our auditions in September.”

Entry to the programme will be through audition in person at the Countess of Wessex Studios taking place on Sunday 10 September. The full application process is outlined on the School’s website here.