My journey in dance began at the age of three, when I started ballet at my grandmother and aunt’s school, the Chester School of Dance.My older brother was already attending, and I was eager to follow in his footsteps. What started as something I simply wanted to try quickly became a lifelong passion and ambition and now ballet is not something I do, it’s just part of who I am.
At seven, I joined the Irish National Youth Ballet, a performance company for young dancers in Ireland, where I trained every Saturday until I was sixteen. In my early days the path wasn’t always straightforward as it was definitely more common for girls, so I did struggle with some things as no other boys were doing ballet. I also missed a lot of school for ballet exams and performances which was challenging but my family helped me stay focused, they were always there reminding me of why I loved it.
During this time I had the opportunity to perform numerous roles in full-length ballets, gaining invaluable stage experience and developing my artistry. I was training with the amazing Jane Magan, Killian O’Callaghan, and Stephen Brennan. In my early years with the company, it was under the direction of Katherine Lewis, and following her passing, Lindsay Ashe Browne took on the role of director, continuing to guide and inspire the company. This experience played a huge role in shaping me as both a dancer and a person, and is one of the main reasons I wanted to pursue serious vocational training, but I realised to do that I had to leave Ireland. There just weren’t the same opportunities for me at home.
My biggest motivation has always been my parents, their constant support and belief in me made it possible for me to pursue my dreams even when financial constraints made it seem impossible.
I was so excited to receive an offer at English National Ballet School, however without financial support I had no way of funding the fees and the high cost of living in London. So when I received the news that I had been granted a part scholarship for my first year, I was totally overwhelmed, I couldn’t believe it was going to happen. It was definitely a moment I’ll never forget. To help cover the rest of the cost my family undertook some crowdfunding and we managed to raise an additional £1,300.
Making the decision to move away from my friends and family was incredibly difficult, but it was a necessary step in pursuing my dream. Along the way, like most ballet students, I have also faced both mental and financial challenges, which have tested my determination, but overcoming them has made me stronger and even more committed to my path.
Every day I am surrounded by like-minded dancers who share the same passion and drive, which constantly pushes me to grow and improve. The level of training and the dedication of the teachers here have exceeded my expectations and continue to motivate me to strive for more. Being at ENBS has not only developed me technically but also artistically, allowing me to explore my individuality and deepen my love for dance even further. It truly feels like a place where I am becoming the dancer I have always aspired to be.
I’m living my dream and I will always be so grateful for the financial support. Without it I wouldn’t be in London and at ENBS.
“Money shouldn’t be the thing that stops someone with talent and ambition from pursuing their dream. The funding made everything possible and it gave me the chance to believe this could really happen to me, a boy from Ireland.”
Looking ahead, my goal is to join a company that performs a diverse repertoire, as I have a deep passion for both ballet and contemporary dance. Above all, I hope to share the joy of dance with audiences around the world and continue growing as an artist.
At English National Ballet School, students like Will take courageous steps to pursue their dreams often moving far from home and overcoming both personal and financial challenges along the way.
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