Associate Programme

Mid and Senior Associates 2025-2026

Located in English National Ballet School’s Chelsea home, ENBS Mid and Senior Associates classes enhance a young dancer’s regular training, while giving them a taste of life at ENBS and the education the school offers.

In addition to ENBS’s specialist classical technique ballet classes, ENBS Associates will have the benefit of studying character, and Rambert Grades contemporary syllabus.

ENBS Associates’ admission is by audition only, allowing students to study alongside like-minded peers who similarly possess the ambition and potential to pursue vocational dance training.

Sessions last for half a day and include a professionally led warm up, ballet class, pointe work* or repertoire, and then character or contemporary work.

The ENBS Associates programme is overseen by ENBS Artistic Director Lynne Charles and aims to develop the talent pipeline- preparing young pupils auditioning for senior vocational studies.

*Pointe work optional and only for those students ready.

Character Classes

Character dance is an integral part of classical ballet training, offering students a deeper understanding of musicality, cultural styles, and performance expression.

These classes will introduce students to the vibrant and diverse dances inspired by the folk traditions of various countries, often featured in famous ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Coppélia. Students will learn the foundational steps, rhythms, and stylistic nuances unique to character dance, alongside exercises to enhance their strength, coordination, and dynamic movement quality.

Character classes also provide opportunities to develop storytelling skills, as students learn to embody different roles and emotions through this theatrical dance style. By the end of the year, students will gain a well-rounded appreciation of character dance and its role within classical ballet productions, building both their confidence and performance abilities.

Contemporary Class - Rambert Grades

Contemporary dance is a versatile and expressive style that blends elements of classical ballet with modern and postmodern techniques. At ENBS, contemporary classes are designed to complement traditional ballet training by encouraging freedom of movement, creativity, and emotional expression.

In these classes, students explore a diverse range of movements, from fluid floorwork to dynamic leaps and turns. Contemporary dance emphasizes body awareness, improvisation, and the use of gravity, often allowing dancers to move in ways that feel natural and intuitive. It encourages individuality, enabling each dancer to develop their unique artistic voice.

As part of our unique offering, students in our programme have the chance to prepare for and submit Rambert Grades. Mid and Senior Associates work towards either grades 2, 3 or 4.

These examinations are designed to develop strong foundational technique, musicality, and performance skills. Achieving these grades demonstrates not only technical progress but also a deepening understanding of contemporary dance as an expressive art form, opening doors to further opportunities in the world of ballet.

Who Should Apply?

The audition panel will be looking for young dancers who have the potential and suitability for prevocational training. This includes musicality, coordination, and versatility.

Mid associates: students aged 12-13 by August 31 2025 (school years 8 & 9 for the 2025/26 academic year)

Senior associates: students aged 14-15 by August 31 2025 (school years 10 & 11 for the 2025/26 academic year)

The class divisions below are intended as a general guide; students will be placed in the appropriate level based on their audition results.

Places on the Programme are offered on a one-year basis, students will need to reapply if they wish to continue in future years.

Application Guidance

Associate Application Pack 2025-26 - Click Here

Application Fee - £35

Application Photographs

Please submit a completed photography form that can be downloaded from here. This needs to be uploaded to the application form, in either doc. or pdf. format. Please do not email in photographs.

Term Dates - Click Here

31 Classes and an induction

Timetable

Contemporary/Character every other week

	Senior Associates (Morning)	Mid Associates (Afternoon)
	Warm Up (15 minutes)	Warm Up (15 minutes)
	Ballet (1.5 hours)	Character (1 hour)/Contemporary (45 minutes)
	Point/Boys Class (45 minutes)	Ballet (1.5 hours)
	Character (1 hour)/Contemporary (45 minutes)	Pointe/Enhancement (45 minutes)

Fees – Click Here

Terms and Conditions – Click Here

Auditions – 27th May 2025

APPLY HERE