At just 16 years old, Elisha Tan has moved from California to London to pursue full-time ballet training at English National Ballet School. In this inspiring blog, she shares what it’s like to leave home, train at one of the UK’s top ballet schools, and chase her dream of becoming a professional dancer—complete with rehearsals, physio, pointe shoes, and passion.

Growing Up in Ballet

Hi! I’m Elisha Tan, I’m 17, and I’m originally from California, USA. Right now, I’m living in London, training full-time at English National Ballet School—a dream I’ve had since I was little.

You could say ballet is in my blood. My mom owns a dance studio, so I’ve been around the world of ballet from the very beginning. I started dancing at the age of three, and it quickly became something I genuinely loved. Watching old home videos, you’ll find me in a pink leotard and squeaky ballet shoes, twirling around our living room to whatever music was playing.

Even when I was little, I was always creating—I’d invite friends over (dancers or not!) and we’d make up performances, choreograph routines, or hold silly competitions. It was pure joy and creativity back then. But things changed when I turned 12. That’s when I started seeing ballet not just as a hobby, but as something I wanted to pursue seriously.

When Dance Became My Dream

As I grew older, ballet became a bigger part of my identity. I trained hard, took every RAD ballet exam, entered competitions, and found myself wanting more. I started to dream about dancing professionally—and about moving to Europe to train.

At 15, I got the chance to study at Conservatório Annarella in Portugal for two months. The training was intense and inspiring. I travelled with their competition team to Romania and France, and while in Sibiu, something unexpected happened—I was offered a scholarship to attend the final audition for English National Ballet School in London.

A Life-Changing Moment

I honestly couldn’t believe it. I had always dreamed of ballet training in Europe, and suddenly, that dream felt within reach. A few months later, I found myself walking the halls of ENBS for the audition, completely awestruck. I never thought I’d actually be accepted—part of me assumed I’d finish high school, maybe go to college, and keep dancing on the side.

But then, jet-lagged and half-asleep one morning, I opened an email that changed everything. I had been accepted into ENBS. I showed my mom, and her reaction—total excitement—made it all feel real.

Moving to London

Leaving home at 16 was a huge step. I said goodbye to my family, my friends, and everything familiar. I’m so lucky to have a family who fully supports me—they gave me the space to follow my own path.

My first few days at English National Ballet School were overwhelming. Suddenly, I was surrounded by British accents, a full in-house well-being team, physios, and a gym dedicated to strength and conditioning for ballet dancers. It was incredible—and intimidating. But after a few weeks, I found my rhythm, made friends who felt like family, and began learning from teachers who inspire me daily.

A Day in the Life at ENBS

Now in my second year, I’ve settled into life in London and the routine of full-time training. My days usually start around 7 or 8am. Some mornings include Dance Through Time classes or S&C training, and we always have a daily classical ballet lesson—sometimes on pointe.

Right now, we’re deep in rehearsals for our ENBS summer show at Bloomsbury Theatre. We’re also working on a special collaboration with the Wallace Collection, where we choreograph our own pieces to perform in the museum—an experience I’ve loved doing both years.

Watch a day in my life here!

The Demands—and Rewards—of Ballet Life

The training is tough, and it took time to adjust. But what’s helped me hugely is the amazing physio support at ENBS. I’ve learned so much about recovery, injury prevention, and how to move more mindfully. Knowing how to care for my body has made me feel stronger and more in control.

It’s not just the physical side, though. Ballet can really test your confidence and emotions. There are days when doubts creep in. That’s where the well-being support at ENBS has been so valuable. It’s okay to talk, to ask for help, and to acknowledge the ups and downs. I’ve learned to be kinder to myself.

Holding On to Balance

Outside the studio, I try to keep in touch with my roots. I read, make videos, hang out with friends, call home often, and try to hold on to the little things that make me feel like a normal teenager. One thing I’m proud of? I earned my high school diploma while training here—something that took a lot of juggling, but meant a lot to me.

 Looking Ahead

Time is flying by, and I’m trying to soak it all in. Every rehearsal, every challenge—it’s all helping shape me into the dancer and person I want to be. I’m beyond grateful to be learning from such dedicated teachers and to share this experience with dancers from all over the world.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the path to your dreams isn’t always straight. It might be scary, or lonely, or overwhelming. But if you really love what you do, it’s all worth it.

Final Thoughts

Training at English National Ballet School has changed my life. It’s taught me about discipline, resilience, creativity, and joy. If you’re thinking about auditioning for ballet school in London, or you’re a young dancer dreaming of something more—believe in yourself. The leap is worth it.

If you want to know more about training at English National Ballet School, click HERE.

Find information on Senior School auditions and how to apply HERE.