Young Artists Development Programme

English National Ballet School's Young Artists Development Programme (formerly the Professional Trainee Programme) offers graduate students the chance to further develop their technical and performance skills in preparation for a professional dance career. The Programme bridges the gap between formal training and life as a professional dancer.

The Programme, running from September until February, is designed to prepare students to audition for professional ballet companies through intensive training and coaching.

The Programme is designed for dancers aged 18 to 22 years who have successfully graduated from a full-time vocational ballet programme.

This course aims to enhance students’ experience of the demands of a professional career in dance, building on the professional-level training they have already undertaken. It will provide intense training in classical and contemporary techniques, including classes and personalised coaching, to refine skills and enhance versatility in readiness for a professional career. Support is also offered in filming audition material when applying to professional dance companies.

Content and Structure
The programme offers training in classical and contemporary techniques as well as coaching in classical and contemporary solos which can be performed in auditions. This will enable participants to focus on developing their interpretative skills and individuality as a dancer, thereby enhancing their versatility as a dance artist. Students will have the opportunity to film solos and classwork as well as do an audition photoshoot with a specialist dance photographer in order to build an audition portfolio.

Alongside this, a programme of lectures and workshops will equip students with non-dance skills required in a professional career such as audition portfolio preparation, CV writing, interview techniques, social media and financial skills. Students will also have the opportunity to receive one-to-one mentoring and support. This part of the programme is delivered in partnership with Dancers Career Development (DCD) and aims to equip students with a healthy, responsive and adaptable mind set for professional life.

Additional Information

Teaching Team
Regular teaching staff include Ibrahim Onal (former Principal of Staatsballett Berlin, Stuttgart Ballet and international guest teacher), Daria Klimentova (former English National Ballet Principal), Ivan Putrov (former Royal Ballet Principal), and Julia Ellis (Los Angeles Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet).

Healthcare and Wellbeing
Students have access to our in-house healthcare team including a designated specialist physiotherapist for the Programme. In case of injury, the physiotherapist examines, diagnoses and if necessary, provides treatment (soft tissue, manual therapy, taping, acupuncture…) and exercise-based rehabilitation. Referrals can also be made to other in-house specialists including a nutritionist, performance psychologist and counsellor.

In the case of more serious injury or complex medical issues, referrals are made to external specialists using the School´s health insurance policy.

Time commitment
Students will train Monday to Saturday for approximately 24 contact hours per week. This will be supported by self-study arising from the taught content of the programme.

Venue
Classes will take place at the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea and English National Ballet School’s main Hortensia Road site in Chelsea. Other locations may also be used from time to time to facilitate partnerships with other dance organisations.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements
Students must have successfully graduated from a full-time vocational training in classical ballet (minimum three years) for entry to the programme. Entry to the programme is by audition.

Fees
Tuition fees for 2024-2025 are as follows:

Programme I £8,500

Fees cover tuition only. Students will also need to allow for accommodation, travel, health insurance and living costs.

Visa requirements
Overseas applicants may require a visitor visa to study in the UK for up to 6 months. ENBS is not able to sponsor visas for this programme so students who are not UK residents or who do not have a suitable visa, must enter the UK as visitors which allows a maximum stay of 6 months.

Applications for 2024-2025 have now closed. Please follow us on social media or sign up to our newsletter for the latest news and updates from across ENBS.