Eight dancers aged 8-10 from the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance have successfully auditioned for coveted places on the internationally renowned Royal Ballet Associate Programme.
Competition is stiff – last year there were 1,373 applications, with only 31 junior students from across the South-West and Wales successfully securing places at the Royal Ballet South-West Centre. Over the past ten years the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance has taught dozens of successful Royal Ballet auditionees, however, achieving eight Junior Associates in one year is unprecedented.
To capitalise on its success, 100 years after it was first founded, the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance is excited to announce they are now taking on new students with the offer of a free taster class. The new September timetable will include parent and toddler ballet classes; adding to their repertoire of ballet, pointe, modern, tap, hip hop and contemporary.
The school is also launching some exciting half day Summer Workshops from the 9-13 August, for children aged 5 to 10 to try out new dance styles in a friendly and welcoming environment.
“The school has gained a reputation for quality teaching with outstanding results in Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Dance Teachers exams (ISTD), and our main aim is to ignite a love of dance to last a lifetime,” said Annette, Dorothy Coleborn’s granddaughter and Principal of the dance school. “It’s wonderful to see the hard work is paying off – in the last five years alone, we have celebrated 1,049 ISTD (modern and tap) and 471 RAD (ballet) distinctions.”
Alongside its centenary the school is also celebrating current Year 6 pupil, Amelie Jackson who will join Billy Tucker at the Royal Ballet’s White Lodge, and Dorothy Coleborn’s granddaughter, Lucy Hind, aged 16, who successfully auditioned for 1 of 14 internationally coveted places at the Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden.
These successes join the 18 pupils over the last 10 years to secure a place at the Royal Ballet, as well as at least 37 Dorothy Coleborn dancers who have gained places at some of the world’s most prestigious full time dance schools, including Elmhurst, London Studios, Central School of Ballet, The Doreen Bird College and Arts Ed.
The school can also claim kudos for training over 50 students to go on to take up roles in professional productions, including memorable performances in Martha Graham Company, An American in Paris, La La Land, Billy Elliot and Matilda. In addition, the school will yet again be providing dancers for their 27th Bath Theatre Royal pantomime.
“I am very proud of my grandmother’s legacy,” added Annette. “She set a very high standard that we have built upon and developed. We want children to experience the joy and fulfilment of dance and believe that there is no limit to their potential. Our expertise is finding it and helping students believe that they can accomplish anything with hard work and quality teaching. Most of all though, they are with us to have fun.”
To sign up for a free taster dance class or enquire about summer workshops or September classes, contact Annette or Annabel on 07460 390825 / 01225 335087 or email email hidden; JavaScript is required