Northern Ballet Theatre Academy:

The training school of Northern Ballet Theatre

Your future starts here…
In September 2010 Northern Ballet Theatre will move into brand new
purpose-built headquarters in the centre of Leeds. This will give us
space to continue creating inventive, high quality ballets and will provide
all Northern Ballet Theatre Academy students with world-class facilities
in which to develop their passion and talent for dance.

Why train at Northern Ballet Theatre

Academy?
“I think the best
thing about the training
Healthy training, happy bodies is that we are taught not only
Our method not only teaches precise the technique and movement but
dance technique but ensures that we are taught the science behind it.
every student becomes a healthy I find this really helpful as it gives
dancer, physically and mentally, with me an understanding of why things
complete awareness of their body are done a certain way and I can
and the effect dancing has on it. visualise the body whilst doing the
This balanced approach is used to movement.”
train first-class professional dancers Devon Hartley,
including Northern Ballet Theatre’s Professional Division student
Company dancers.

Train alongside the professionals Unrivalled facilities in Yorkshire

All Academy students are able to Northern Ballet Theatre’s new
watch Northern Ballet Theatre’s building will be the largest dance
Company dancers taking class and centre outside London. The securely
rehearsing for productions, providing contained studios and changing
a creative atmosphere to inspire the rooms will provide a safe environment
dancers of tomorrow. for young students.

(Cover) Tobias Batley, Northern Ballet Theatre First Soloist and

Academy student mentor. Photo: Bill Cooper.

2

Hannah Bateman, Northern Ballet Theatre First
Soloist and Academy student mentor. Photo:
Bill Cooper.
To be part of this exciting future get in touch…
0113 274 5355 academy@northernballettheatre.co.uk
www.northernballettheatre.co.uk
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“[Performing
in The Nutcracker]
we got a real insight into
performing life and it made
me even hungrier to achieve
my dream of becoming a
professional dancer.”
Matthew Valentine,
Professional Division student
Teaching staff
Led by world-class Principal ballet
dancer and teacher, Yoko Ichino,
Northern Ballet Theatre Academy
has a faculty of dedicated dance
professionals selected by Northern
Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director
David Nixon. Our teachers have been
professional dancers themselves,
bringing a wealth of experience and
creative input.
Every student matters
Offering all students the best possible
support and advice, our full-time
pastoral staff ensure students have a
safe and friendly atmosphere in which
to pursue their passion for dance.
Perform with the Company
Northern Ballet Theatre Academy
students are given the opportunity
to audition to perform with the
Company. In the past students have
performed in Northern Ballet Theatre
favourites The Nutcracker, A Simple
Man and A Christmas Carol.
Coming Soon…
Shared with Phoenix Dance Theatre our new building will
become a hub of creativity and learning in Yorkshire.

“Our classes
for children develop
strength and technique in
New Classes a way that is healthy for young
bodies whilst allowing them to
With seven state-of-the-art studios exercise their imagination. We aim to
there will be space in the new encourage each student’s potential
building to offer a full programme and confidence whilst building their
of opportunities for everyone who fitness in a fun, friendly and sociable
wants to dance. Classes will include: atmosphere.”
• B
 allet for all ages and abilities Yoko Ichino, Northern Ballet Theatre Academy
• C
 ontemporary and jazz Curriculum Manager and Ballet Mistress
for children
• A
 dult lunchtime classes
e.g. pilates and dance
inspired aerobics
• C
 lasses for young people and
adults with disabilities
For those younger students
looking towards a career in classical
ballet we provide a clear progression
route through our Professional
Naomi Matthews,
Division programme. Pre-Ballet student.
Photo: Hannah Kirkpatrick.

To be the first to receive

information about our new
classes fill in the form at the
back of this brochure and return
to us at Northern Ballet Theatre.

Can’t wait until September 2010?

We currently have some classes
running at our base in West Park.
Get in touch to find out more.

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 “Our new
building will be a
centre of excellence
for dance in the North of
England, a place that will A61

complement the best dance

spaces in the UK and the
world.” A64
New
David Nixon, York
Roa
d
Northern Ballet Theatre Qu a r
ry H i
ll
Eastgate
Artistic Director e York
Facilities:
n

Rd A64
La

George St
sh

A61
• S even state-of-the-art
ar

M
Bus Station
dance studios • York
S tree
t

• 2 00-seat studio theatre LEEDS

• F ully accessible to people

with disabilities The
Calls

• Café A61

Register with us today…

0113 274 5355 academy@northernballettheatre.co.uk
www.northernballettheatre.co.uk
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Want to become a professional
dancer?
Professional Division
Centre for Advanced Training
Ages 10 - 16
The Professional Division gives young
people with exceptional potential the
chance to access the highest quality
training whilst still living at home and
attending their academic school.
We are looking for motivated,
passionate young people and, whilst
most of our Professional Division
students already have some dance
experience, we also award places
based on potential.
To date, 100%
of our graduates
have secured places at
top national ballet schools
including English National Ballet
School, Central School of Ballet,
Rambert School of Ballet and
Contemporary Dance and
Royal Scottish Academy
in partnership with
Scottish Ballet.
Can’t commit to 8 hours a week or live too far away?
Join our Associate Division and still benefit from our great facilities
and high quality training.
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Yorkshire Young Dancers
The Professional Division is a
recognised Centre for Advanced
Training (CAT) and is the only CAT
specialising in ballet in the country.
Under this scheme Northern Ballet
Theatre Academy is in partnership
with Northern School of Contemporary
Dance (NSCD) who provide a
corresponding contemporary
programme.
Collectively this scheme is called
Yorkshire Young Dancers and funding
from the DCSF (Department for
Children, Schools and Families) is
available to cover the full cost of both
courses on a means-tested basis.
For more information on the CAT
scheme and funding options please
visit the DCSF website:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/mds/national_grants.shtml
 (Left to right) Joshua Barwick, Leon Moran, Dale Rhodes, Andrew McNicol and Matthew Topliss, Academy graduates.
Photo: Darren Goldsmith.

The course: • T
 rips to the theatre to keep
• Intensive training programme students in touch with their
close to home aspirations
• 8 hours a week minimum in first • L
 inks with NSCD and
year which will increase with Phoenix Dance Theatre allow
student’s progress students greater exposure to
• Individual training plan for each contemporary dance
student based on personal
progress Admission to the Professional
• E nhancement classes eg. drama Division is by audition only (audition
and music to develop student’s dates on page 10). To register for the
performance skills auditions please fill in the form at the
• Intensive
 weekends and holiday back of this booklet and return to us
courses to build student’s at Northern Ballet Theatre.
confidence and knowledge of
the arts

To find out more…

To get a better idea of the training available at Northern Ballet Theatre Academy
before applying, attend a free Open Day. See page 10 for more details.

7
Add to your current training at
Northern Ballet Theatre Academy

Associate Division
Junior (ages 10-12) classes Friday evening
Intermediate and Senior (ages 12-16)
classes Saturday morning

For aspiring dancers the Associate

Division gives students access to the
Academy’s great facilities and high
quality training whilst still attending
their local dance school. Classes run
for 33 weeks of the year during term
time and a weekly commitment is
required.
Admission to this course is by
audition only (audition dates on
page 10). See the form at the back
of this brochure for how to apply.
Junior Associates: £300 per year
Intermediate and Senior
Associates: £600 per year
International Summer School
Intermediate (ages 12-16) 26 - 31 July 2010
Senior (ages 16-19) 2 – 14 August 2010
This course is open to students who
are already in, or are hoping to go
into, full-time classical ballet training.
The daily sessions are designed to
strengthen and improve student’s
classical technique and offer an
insight into the life and training of a
professional dancer.

“I have really Admission to this course is by

enjoyed my years at
Northern Ballet Theatre. I
feel I’ve really improved since
I started. I enjoy the exercises
and strengthening work. I hope
Northern Ballet Theatre will
help me to pursue my dream
of becoming a professional
dancer.”
Jenny Edwards,
Senior Associate
audition only (audition dates on
page 10), or for those already in full-
time training candidates are selected
by photo application. See the form
at the back of this brochure for
how to apply.
Intermediate Summer Course
(1 week): £200
Senior Summer Course
(2 weeks): £365

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 Easter Course
Ages 14-19, 12 – 16 April 2010

This week long course is open to

students who are already in full-time
classical ballet training as well as
students on classical associate
programmes.

Candidates are selected by photo

application only. See the form at the
back of this brochure for how to apply.

Note:
As the Academy is a non-residential school, we
cannot provide accommodation for either the
Summer School or Easter Course but we can
recommend affordable options.

(Left) Louisa North. Photo: Hannah Kirkpatrick.

(Right) Jessica Morgan, Northern Ballet Theatre dancer and past Summer School
student. Photo: Darren Goldsmith.

To find out more…

To get a better idea of the training available at Northern Ballet Theatre Academy
before applying, attend a free Open Day. See page 10 for more details.

9
Open Days

Our free Open Days give

prospective students the chance
to meet Northern Ballet Theatre
Academy staff and find out more
about our approach to teaching and (Left to right) Sophie Hall and Megan Hughes, Professional Division graduates.
Photo: Simon Lawson.
technique in a taster session.
Audition Dates
Open Days 2010:

24 Jan: Sheffield, Spring Academy Successful applicants will receive

9.30am-12.30pm, ages 10-12
31 Jan: Huddersfield, Greenhead
College
9.30am-12.30pm, ages 10-12
7 Feb: York St John’s University
9.30am-12.30pm, ages 10-12
more information about the
auditions beforehand, but to help
students plan ahead here are the
dates for 2010.
7 Mar: Preliminary auditions for
Associates and combined auditions
for students auditioning for more
than one programme

14 Feb: Leeds, West Park Centre 21 Mar: Final auditions for

9.30am-12.30pm, ages 10-12
21 Feb: Leeds, West Park Centre
9.30am-12.30pm, ages 10-12
21 Feb: Leeds, West Park Centre
1-4pm, ages 13-15
Associates, Summer School
auditions and preliminary auditions
for Professional Division
(CAT Yorkshire Young Dancers)
13 -16 Apr: Final intensive
auditions for Professional Division
(CAT Yorkshire Young Dancers)

To register for an Open Day or audition please fill in the form at the
back of this booklet and return to us at Northern Ballet Theatre.

10
Charlotte Tonkinson, Professional Division student, preparing for her
performance in The Nutcracker.
Photo: Simon Lawson.
Academy Application Form 2010/11
Closing date for applications 22nd February
Thank you for your interest in Northern Ballet Theatre Academy. If you would like to
receive up-to-date information on our new classes and all of the courses in this brochure
please tick here and fill in your basic details in the box to the right (marked in red).

Please return this form enclosing the following photographs in either

leotard and tights or vest and shorts:
1 Facing back feet together (in parallel)
2 Facing towards – tendu in second
3 For Senior Summer and Easter Course also include 1st arabesque in profile

Audition Fees
£15 for Associate and Summer School auditions
Professional Division (CAT Yorkshire Young Dancers) auditions are free of charge

I want to apply for (students may apply for more than one course):
P
 rofessional Division (CAT Yorkshire Young Dancers)
A
 ssociate Programme (10-15 years)
E
 aster Course (14-19 years)
Intermediate
 International Summer School (12-16 years)
S
 enior International Summer School (16-19 years)

I’d like to attend the following Open Day (see page 10 for details of times):

2
 4 Jan : Sheffield, Spring Academy

3
 1 Jan : Huddersfield, Greenhead College

7
 Feb : York St John’s University

1
 4 Feb : Leeds, West Park Centre

21
 Feb : Leeds, West Park Centre (ages 10-12)

21 Feb : Leeds, West Park Centre (ages 13-15)

Details of applicant

Name:
Please affix
Date of Birth:
headshot
Age in September 2010: here
Home Address:

Post Code:

Telephone number:

Email:

Name of parent(s) / guardian(s):

Details of current Dance School (if relevant):

Name of dance teacher:

Name of dance school:

Dance teacher’s signature:

Address:

Telephone number:
Dance Experience

Ballet:

Contemporary dance:

Other:
Please list any previous injuries or medical conditions:

Please list any access requirements you have for the auditions:

Appropriate fee enclosed (£15 for auditions)

Appropriate photographs enclosed

Signature of parent/ guardian:

Date:

Please return this completed form to:

Northern Ballet Theatre Academy, West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds. LS16 5BE
Closing date for applications 22nd February 2010.

Whilst great care is taken over the safety of all dance students throughout the course, Northern Ballet Theatre
Academy cannot accept responsibility for any injuries or illness sustained during or after audition.
Our current address is…
Northern Ballet Theatre Academy
West Park Centre
Spen Lane
Leeds
LS16 5BE

Get in touch:
0113 274 5355
academy@northernballettheatre.co.uk
www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Supported by

Northern School of
Contemporary Dance

Northern Ballet Theatre Registered Charity Number: 259140 | Company Registration Number: 947096 | VAT Number: 146 6307 66
Unless otherwise stated all courses include VAT at 17.5%

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