The Royal Ballet School is the UK’s leading classical ballet school and a world-renowned centre of dance training excellence. Based in London, the School’s full-time training course has produced exceptional performers like Francesca Hayward, Marcelino Sambé, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Now, young dancers worldwide can train with The Royal Ballet School anytime, anywhere, with Intensive Courses on Demand. This superb collection of online classes and talks offers a unique opportunity to explore and strengthen ballet technique with the School’s expert teachers. Dance classes for students aged seven and up are available from £10.
The Royal Ballet School’s Digital Innovations
The Royal Ballet School continually works to open its world-class teaching and training to more young dancers. Its efforts include hosting masterclasses in various locations worldwide and inviting international students to attend Intensive Courses in the UK.
At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the School began innovating ways to virtually deliver the highest-quality teaching to its full-time students in their homes around the world. The School went on to extensively develop its digital infrastructure, recognising the immense potential of online offerings to reach a wider global audience.
Consequently, the School launched its ground-breaking Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme for the recreational dance sector. It also created Primary Steps on Demand, an innovative online programme for primary schools. These two endeavours firmly established the School as a leader in the digital dance education space.
Next, the School set about making its vocational-level training available to passionate, dedicated ballet students who are less able to access this opportunity in person. In October 2022, the School launched Intensive Courses on Demand with a collection of online classes for students aged 11+.
Intensive Courses on Demand has gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months, adding dozens more classes for various age groups. There are now 40 classes and informative talks to choose from. Classes are tailored to four developmental age groups — 7+, 11+, 14+, and 16+ — which mirror the School’s full-time training programmes.
What Classes Are Available?
Intensive Courses on Demand offers classical ballet classes, focus classes on specific elements of classical technique, character and contemporary classes, and Pilates classes. Additionally, Insight classes reveal what it’s like auditioning for the School’s full-time training course and its Junior Associate programme.
The Royal Ballet School has carefully designed the classes to be suitable for a space smaller than a ballet studio, without the need for specialist equipment. This makes the classes perfect for at-home practice.
There are also interviews and informational talks with the School’s Artistic and Healthcare teams. These videos provide valuable advice and help students understand what it’s like to train at the School.
Who Teaches the Classes?
Accomplished Royal Ballet School teachers, such as the School’s Artistic Director Christopher Powney, lead the classes. Teachers include former professional dancers and now Royal Ballet School staff José Carayol, Ricardo Cervera, Jessica Clarke, Belinda Hatley, Valeri Hristov, Paul Lewis, Liane McRae, Carol-Anne Millar, Kate Swainston, Nicola Tranah, and Didy Veldman.
Are The Classes Suitable for Absolute Ballet Beginners?
Although the classes are non-selective, they’re not suitable for absolute beginners. The School has designed the classes to supplement and enhance the training a ballet student is already taking.
The classes are ideal for continuing training during breaks and refreshing skills before returning to regular training. Students can also take classes alongside their usual training to take their dancing to the next level. Young dancers will enjoy experiencing different teaching styles, dance styles, and disciplines, increasing their adaptability and versatility.
The classes help students develop and refine their ballet technique, mastering essential skills. They also nurture young dancers’ artistry, musicality, and self-expression, elements that Royal Ballet School students are particularly renowned for.
How Much Do the Classes Cost?
Classes are affordable, from as little as £10 per dance class. Informational talks cost £5 each. Once purchased, the user has lifetime ownership and can view the videos on any device. Users can purchase classes individually or as specially curated Intensive Courses, starting at £50.
The Royal Ballet School has bundled collections of classes to create inspiring, well-rounded courses for ages 11+, 14+, and 16+. Buying classes as a package makes them even better value, as they are available at a discounted price.
Each course includes at least two ballet classes and at least one focus class. They also include at least one class in a complementary discipline, such as contemporary, character, or Pilates. Students can explore different elements of ballet and dance technique and learn from a range of teachers while broadening their artistic knowledge.
Praise For Intensive Courses on Demand
Developed and filmed at The Royal Ballet School, Intensive Courses on Demand classes have proven extremely popular with users. One participant said: “ .”
One parent whose children are taking part in the classes said: “ .”
Participants have also praised the teachers’ advice on how to make the classes applicable to individuals practising at home.
Over One Year of Intensive Courses on Demand
While creating Intensive Courses on Demand, The Royal Ballet School’s Artistic and Content teams pooled their knowledge and experience to guarantee the highest-quality videos. The development process included input from a test group of users and the School’s students.
So far, the School has launched 35 classes and 3 intensive courses, which more than 1,000 young dancers hailing from 64 countries and 6 continents have accessed. Users have purchased over 3,000 classes and courses delivered by 22 expert staff with more than 450 years of combined expertise.
The Royal Ballet School has grand plans for Intensive Courses on Demand and looks forward to creating more content for young dancers to enjoy in the coming months.
Discover Intensive Courses on Demand.
About The Royal Ballet School
Established in 1926, The Royal Ballet School is a beacon of excellence in the world of dance education. Amongst its alumni are notable figures such as Anya Linden, Kenneth MacMillan, Darcey Bussell, and Lauren Cuthbertson.
Royal Ballet School students undergo full-time training for up to eight years. Young dancers balance their dance training with academic studies, and the School’s pastoral and healthcare teams support them at every step. Many graduates secure opportunities with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and other esteemed dance companies worldwide.
Committed to widening access to ballet and creative dance, the School offers in-person and online programmes for dance teachers and students. It also spearheads various initiatives to raise awareness of the benefits of dance. For instance, the School recently named Nadiya Bychkova and Karim Zeroual Ambassadors of Primary Steps on Demand.
Main sources for this piece: https://ondemand.royalballetschool.org.uk/
https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/2023/11/11/one-year-of-intensive-courses-on-demand/
Dorothy’s notes
(in the May Sharepoint document)
Source for additional information: https://ondemand.royalballetschool.org.uk/collections/intensive-courses/intensive-courses-packages/
Source: Dorothy’s notes
Source: Dorothy’s notes
