Young Artists Development Programme

English National Ballet School's Young Artists Development Programme (YADP) creates a pathway between school and professional life, offering graduate students the opportunity to further develop their technical and performance skills in preparation for a professional dance career. The programme helps to bridge the gap between formal training and life as a professional dancer, elevating student training and preparing them for life outside of ballet school.

Running from August 2025 to July 2026, this programme offers students the opportunity to enhance their learning, further develop technique, artistry, and gain employability skills, alongside invaluable performance and training experience with a professional ballet company.

English National Ballet School’s programme includes performance opportunities offered through English National Ballet. The programme will provide dancers with first-hand exposure to the demands of company life; students will work alongside international teachers, coaches and dancers, as well as participate in rehearsal and mainstage performances in London and around the UK. In addition to performances, the programme will elevate and enrich the students by offering specialised training, private coaching, music appreciation, dance and film, among other courses.

Programme Highlights

Performance and touring experience with ENB.

In 2025-26 the students will participate in English National Ballet main stage programmes of Sleeping Beauty in London and on tour, Nutcracker in London, and a tour of a My First Ballet series to up to six large towns and cities in the UK.

Intensive classical and contemporary training to refine technique and artistry.

Coaching in classical and contemporary solos for auditions to enhance individuality and interpretative skills.

Audition preparation including filming solos, classwork, and a professional photoshoot.

Workshops and mentoring on non-dance skills such as CV writing and audition portfolio preparation.

Access to a dedicated healthcare team, including physiotherapy, nutrition, and performance psychology.

Additional courses including, Dance and Film, Music Appreciation and Ballet Styles.

Course Content

The programme offers a unique combination of training in classical and contemporary techniques as well as professional performances in modules delivered by ENB.

Alongside training, rehearsals and performances, students will receive coaching in classical and contemporary solos. They will have the opportunity to film solos and classwork as well as do an audition photoshoot with a specialist dance photographer. Alongside this, a programme of workshops will guide students in audition portfolio preparation and CV writing.

Programme components delivered by English National Ballet School, under the direction of the School’s Artistic Director, Lynne Charles, the programme tutor is Ibrahim Onal (former Principal of Staatsballett Berlin, Stuttgart Ballet and international guest teacher).

Classical Ballet technique
4Pointe for women
Male technique
Classical Variations
Repertoire
Pas de Deux
Contemporary Dance technique
Choreography
Floor Barre
Strength and conditioning classes
Modular courses on specific ballet styles
Professional practice including audition and interview techniques, audition photography and video, plus CV writing

Course Structure

August 1st 2025 to July 2026

August to November

Students will begin the programme working with English National Ballet on their production of The Sleeping Beauty. This involves company classes and rehearsals in preparation for an Autumn UK tour.

On non-rehearsal weeks students will follow a dedicated programme of classes.

December

Selected students may be invited to perform in ENB´s Nutcracker Christmas season. Students not selected will follow a dedicated programme of classes, and break for Christmas and New Year.

January – February

Students will rehearse and tour for ENB’s ´My First Ballet´. This is an opportunity to perform an abridged version of a classical ballet for young audiences. All roles will be danced by YADP students.

March to May

Students will follow a dedicated programme of classes and undertake the following modular courses:

In-depth training on various techniques such as Bournonville, Balanchine, Ashton and 4Pointe.
Filming for Dance.

June

Students return to ENB for further performances of The Sleeping Beauty.

July

Students round off the year as a YADP student with a graduation celebration.

Application Process

Eligibility

The programme is for dancers aged 18 to 22 years who have successfully graduated from a full-time vocational ballet programme in the UK (minimum 3 years). Entry is by audition only.

How to Apply

Please read YADP Audition Guide 2025
Complete Online Application
Submit a video performing a selection of class work. Please follow example in the audition guide.
Submit one classical solo and one contemporary solo. Please provide YouTube link in your Online Application.
A headshot emailed to yadp@enbschool.org.uk
£40 Registration Fee

Application Deadline Monday 21 April 2025

Successful applicants will be invited to live final auditions at English National Ballet School in London on Thursday 1^st and Friday 2^nd May 2025.

Fees & Eligibility

Tuition Fees: £13,500 (Reduced Rates Apply for ENBS Alumni)
Other Costs: Participants must cover accommodation, travel, living and visa costs if required. See indication of these costs below.
Please Note: While working with ENB, participants will be paid a living allowance, touring expenses will be covered and all ballet shoes provided.
Eligibility: UK residents, UK and Irish passport holders, UK Student Visa holders, Graduate Visa Holders & Youth Mobility Visa holders. Please note ENBS is unable to sponsor visas for this programme. Check what type of UK Visa you need. UK Visas

Indicative other costs:

You should budget for around £1320- £2350 per month for expenses other than tuition fees.

Health Insurance (2024/2025 cost) £1575 for the year
Accommodation costs vary greatly depending on the type and location of accommodation. A rough guide is to allow from £820 per month for a room in a homestay, up to £1,850 per month for a studio apartment.
Travel – a student oyster card for London zones 1-2 costs £119.90 per month plus an initial upfront £20 admin fee.
Food costs approx £250 per month

See our Guide to London Accommodation