New Open Classes
At Northern Ballet Theatre, all instruction is based on healthy physical principles. Our Open Classes allow students to train with leading professionals in a relaxed and friendly environment. Ballet is a great way to keep fit regardless of age. It improves alignment and helps posture.
Weekly classes as follows:
NEW for 2008 - Intro to Ballet
Thursday 17:30-18:30
Introductory classes for children aged 8-10
NEW for 2008 - Adult Beginners Ballet
Thursday 18:45-20:00
No experience required. 18+
Intermediate Ballet
Monday 19:00-20:30
Intermediate Foundation Standard and Above
Men’s Class
Wednesday 17:30-19:15
Intermediate Foundation Standard and Above
All classes are held at Northern Ballet Theatre’s Studios
at the West Park Centre on Spen Lane in Leeds.
For more information on these classes visit our website
or contact the Classical Training Dept.
classicaltraining@northernballettheatre.co.uk
NBT students are excellent!
Seven of NBT’s students performed at excellent! at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London on Tuesday 15 July. excellent! was a celebration of the achievements of this country’s most talented young dancers and musicians. NBT’s students performed a piece by choreographer Sharon Watson, alongside seven students from the Northern School for Contemporary Dance (NSCD), to music composed by the Yorkshire Young Musicians (YYM).
The students spent three days in London and stayed at The Tring Arts Educational School. On the day before the performance the students rehearsed with the NSCD students and YYM at Sadler’s Wells to make sure they were ready for their big performance the following day. The excellent! performance was a fantastic success and the students met other young and talented dancers and musicians from across the country. All the students did the Company proud, well done everyone!
Joshua Ockerby who is in the third year of NBT’s Professional Training Division said, “It was amazing to perform on stage at one of the most famous dance venues in the world, I enjoyed every minute of it and hope I get to do it again soon! “
Yorkshire Young Dancers and Musicians are excellent!
Seven students from NBT’s pre-vocational training programme are taking part in a special performance at Sadler’s Wells in London on 15 July. Top choreographer Sharon Watson is creating a new dance piece for the group and fellow Yorkshire Young Dancers from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The group will also collaborate with eight students from Yorkshire Young Musicians who are creating a new composition for the performance with Andrew Stamatakis-Brown.
The performance is a celebration of the achievements of this country’s most talented young dancers and musicians supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Music and Dance Scheme.
Rehearsals are well underway and the group will give a special preview performance at the Riley Theatre in Leeds on 27 June. Read the full media release here.
More money for dance
In March, the Government announced that it would be investing a further £5.5 million in dance following the publication of the Dance Review, written by the Royal Opera House Chief Executive Tony Hall.
The funding would be invested in, amongst other schemes, six new Centres of Advanced Training (CATs) between now and 2011. NBT, in partnership with the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, set up the first CAT in the UK and remains the only CAT for classical dance.
David Nixon has responded to the announcement:
“An investment in young people is an investment in the future. As the very first Centre for Advanced Training, Northern Ballet Theatre has seen first hand the effect this kind of funding can have on young people. I feel strongly that we must develop high standards and quality access across the country and this announcement makes huge steps towards achieving these goals.”
Read a dance industry responce by Dance UK
Read about our Centre for Advanced Training
Classical Training Auditions
The closing date for applications for Classical Training Auditions is looming so please make sure you send in all applications by Monday 18th February in order to make the deadline. We have classes to suit all ages and abilities ranging from intensive pre-vocational training programmes to Open classes.
To download an application pack or to find out more about the associate programme, international summer school and the Yorkshire Young Dancers Pre-Vocational training programme please go to the Classical Training Pages or call the Classical Training department on 0113 274 5355
Upcoming Classical Training Events
Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) and Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) will hold an open dance class in Leeds on Sunday 20th January 2008 at the West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds, LS16 5BE. The open day is an opportunity for young dance enthusiasts from NBT’s hometown, and across Yorkshire, to sample a ballet or contemporary dance class and learn more about the Yorkshire Young Dancer (YYD) Scheme. The open day is free and must be booked in advance through NBT’s Classical Training department on 0113 274 5355, email: classicaltraining@northernballettheatre.co.uk
Light Night Images
Last Friday night, some of NBT’s Classical Training students took part in a class in Leeds City Centre.
This event was part of the third Leeds Light Night, an astounding city-wide cultural extravaganza on the night of October 12th. Photos by Amy Dutton.
Dance at Light Night
Ever wanted to have a go at a ballet class? Well, this Friday night, some of NBT’s Classical Training students will be doing class in Leeds City Centre and we’d love you to join them. Come along between 6 and 7pm outside the Art Gallery if it’s dry or in The Light if it’s wet.
This event is part of the third Leeds Light Night, an astounding city-wide cultural extravaganza on the night of Friday October 12th. Check www.lightnight.co.uk for full details, & email james.hill@leeds.gov.uk for a copy of the brochure. Be a tourist, a night-tripper & a sight-seer in your own city.
YYD go Christmas Crackers!
David Nixon’s brand new version of The Nutcracker promises the ultimate Christmas adventure and dancers from the Yorkshire Young Dancers scheme will be helping to create the magic, performing with the Company in Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds. Rehearsals are already underway. Full tour dates for The Nutcracker are available HERE
Summer schools update
This week is an intensive training week for students on our Yorkshire Young Dancers’ scheme. NBT is the first Centre for Advanced Training in the country, in partnership with the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and the only one for Classical dance. During the week they will take part in classical ballet and contemporary classes as well as learning some dances from the repertoire
It is also the final week of training for students on our International Summer School who have been strengthening and improving their classical, contemporary and jazz techniques at the Northern Ballet Theatre studios in Leeds.
Summer School underway…
Our annual Classical Training summer school for promising young dancers is currently underway. The Summer School is aimed at young people already in or hoping to start full time dance training. The students take part in ballet, contemporary and jazz technique classes as well as developing their partnering work, learning repertoire and watching the NBT dancers in rehearsal. All our students receive expert training from NBT’s teaching faculty under the guidance and syllabus of Ballet Mistress, Yoko Ichino.
