Elmhurst Ballet School
| Elmhurst Ballet School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
249 Bristol Road Edgbaston , , B5 7UH | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent school |
| Founder | Helen Mortimer |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Specialist | Classical Ballet |
| Department for Education URN | 134908 Tables |
| President | David Eastwood |
| Patron | The Duchess of Cornwall |
| Principal | Jessica Wheeler |
| Artistic Director | Robert Parker |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Enrolment | 189 |
| Website | http://www.elmhurstdance.co.uk |
Elmhurst Ballet School is an independent school for professional classical ballet in the United Kingdom. It takes students aged 11–19 years who intend to pursue a career in professional classical ballet. The Independent Schools Inspectorate commented that the school is a world-renowned centre for excellence in its field. Elmhurst provides a full academic day in conjunction with a full vocational course in ballet and dance training."[1]: p.8
History
One of the earliest vocational dance schools in the United Kingdom, Elmhurst was established in the 1920s in Camberley, Surrey. The school moved to purpose-built premises in Edgbaston, Birmingham in 2004.[2]: p.1 The facilities occupy an area of 5 acres (20,000 m2) and include a 250-seat studio theatre, a theatre workshop and seven dance studios. There is also a medical centre and a physiotherapy/exercise centre.[3]: p.2 In addition to day students, there is on-site boarding accommodation for up to 121 resident students and off-site boarding for 30 sixth-formers.[1]: p.4
Robert Parker, a former Birmingham Royal Ballet principal dancer, has been Artistic Director since 2012.[4][5]
Staff
- Principal – Jessica Wheeler BA (Hons), NPQH[6]
- Artistic Director – Robert Parker[6]
Mary Goodhew is a former Artistic Director.
Notable alumni
- Jenny Agutter
- Melissa Hamilton
- Helen Baxendale
- Hetty Baynes
- Sarah Brightman
- Tracey Childs
- Fiona Fullerton
- Imogen Hassall
- Caroline Langrishe
- Tanja Liedtke
- Jennie Linden
- Hayley Mills
- Juliet Mills
- Pamela Franklin
- Dame Merle Park
- Polly Parsons
- Paul James Rooney
- Hermione Norris
- Jane Slaughter
- Tessa Wyatt
- Lorna Yabsley
References
- ^ a b School inspection report, June 2011 Archived 24 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine at Ofsted
- ^ School inspection report, 2008 Independent Schools Council
- ^ An Introduction to Elmhurst at official website
- ^ "Elmhurst Announces Appointment of New Artistic Director". 19 September 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Ismene Brown Nuclear star dancer Robert Parker leaps to head ballet school at The Arts Desk, 19 September 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Senior Management". Elmhurst School for Dance. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
External links
- Official website
- Mary Goodhew: The making of a dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet
- Inspection report, June 2011 at Ofsted
- Description of the reredos from the school chapel in Camberley, and the founder of the ballet school, Mrs Helen Mortimer, and her famous Christmas play.
