Bristol Ballet Centre’s Elite Associate Programme was established 5 years ago with a view to improving the standard of the talented dancers within the school. Selected students are invited to attend the weekly class that complement their current training and follow a uniquely tailored regime to facilitate all aspects of their development as dancers. So far, the results have been excellent, with outstanding examination results, many successes in competitions and places attained on outside Associate programmes including The Royal Ballet School Associates, Elmhurst Young and Extended Dancers, Morea Associates and National Youth Ballet.
We continue to constantly explore new ideas, methods, and practices to ensure that their training is relevant and up to date, whilst creating a positive learning atmosphere at a more advanced level and introducing more performance opportunities. At all levels, we encourage pupils to build a positive mindset, and self-confidence is especially important throughout, as is learning to work individually, in small groups and as a team. The intensity and degree of difficulty increases appropriately, as does our expectation of the students’ progress and outside input required.
As of September 2020, we will have 4 levels of the Elite Programme from Grade 1 upwards:
Elite 1
Ensuring an excellent understanding of the fundamentals of technique is our main priority and this is done through a series of developmental exercises in a fun, lively manner, often, not apparently ballet based.
Elite 2
Building on these fundamentals, adding Progressing Ballet Technique Exercises, (PBT) and introducing performance values with our Competition Team.
Elite 3
Introduction of Guest Teachers, increased expectancy of technique and application, pointework and body conditioning regime.
Elite 4
Individual advice for audition preparation and specialist guest teachers invited in to take workshops in subjects such as contemporary, commercial, jazz and lyrical dance. Not only does this give students the chance to improve in different genres but is also so good for them to experience different teachers and all they have to offer specialist advice for audition preparation.
Competitions and Performances
Our current competition teams are made up exclusively of Elite pupils and have been highly successful so far. The experience of performing under pressure as a group is valuable not only for those wishing to make their career in the performing arts, but for many walks of later life.
An Elite Associate show is performed bi-annually and gives the students the opportunity to put into practise all that they have learnt and to showcase their talent. Previous shows include ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’, both of which sold out and received excellent reviews.
“I cannot recommend Bristol Ballet Centre enough as an excellent dance school that offers all genres underpinned with strong technical training.
My daughter would not be the dancer she is today without the wonderful tuition she has received from Miss Sherman. Her teaching is inspiring and encouraging and being Royal Ballet School trained you know that your daughter or son will be taught correctly. As a result of Miss Sherman and Bristol Ballet Centre’s excellent training, my daughter not only got to the All England Dance Finals in 2017 but has now been accepted into a top London Performing Arts School. This School is fantastic, and you will not find better!!!”
