Springboard Dance Pro launched for professional dancers

Central School of Ballet is launching two eight week professional dance courses specifically for young professional dancers and recent graduates, designed to provide dance and fitness training alongside performance tuition and dance industry connections. The courses aim to support resilience development and specific skills following the impact of the COVID pandemic that caused widespread theatre and venue closures with resulting effects on jobs and opportunities, with new or recent graduates the worst affected.

The courses have been created alongside colleagues at Central by Head of Medical Services Anna Brodrick. A pilot course was delivered online last autumn for Central’s 2020 graduate cohort, when the height of the pandemic meant the outlook for new professional dancers was particularly gloomy.

The aim is to provide core skills to all dance genres; classical ballet dancers, contemporary professionals and those in-between contracts in musical theatre aged 18 years and above.

Each course, the first commencing at the end of October and the second in February 2022, will comprise of 20 online classes and cost £99, less than £5 per class.  CDD alumni benefit from 50% discounts and there’s an early bird discount of 15% (available until 15th October using coupon code SPR1NGB0ARDEB21).  Dancers can take part in eight ballet classes over the eight week period delivered by renowned professionals including Kit Holder (Birmingham Royal Ballet), Sarah Kundi (English National Ballet and Central alumna) and Tom Edwards (Scottish Ballet and Central alumnus).  Three sessions with the renowned performance and wellbeing psychologist Dr Lucie Clements are included in the course, four HIIT classes and five yoga classes.  For those not available for the full eight weeks, classes can be booked individually at a cost of £12 each, more information here.

Anna Brodrick, Central’s Head of Medical Services explains: “We know that dance graduates benefit from regular ballet classes to maintain skills and fitness, but this course offers more – access to training from the dance industry’s most exciting performers and tutors.  Alongside yoga sessions, regular HIIT classes and three sessions with Dr Lucie Clements, the course offers a comprehensive boost for young professional dancers at the beginning of their careers or as support in-between contracts.”

Mark Osterfield, Executive Director at Central said: “The aim is to support recent graduates who have been particularly affected by the COVID pandemic, associated theatre closures and limited performance opportunities. While the dance industry and related productions return to performing, this course ensures graduates are supported not only in core skills development but also in maintaining industry connections which Central is in a unique position to provide. Being online allows dancers all over the world to participate and benefit.”