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 | HRH The Duchess of Cornwall |
| Principal | Jessica Ward |
| Artistic Director | Robert Parker |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Enrollment | 189 |
| Website | http://www.elmhurstdance.co.uk |
Elmhurst School for Dance is an independent school for professional Classical Ballet in the United Kingdom, and an associate school of Birmingham Royal Ballet. 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 oldest vocational dance schools in the United Kingdom, Elmhurst was originally established during the 1920s in Camberley, Surrey, the school was relocated to purpose-built premises in Edgbaston, Birmingham in 2004.[2]: p.1 The facilities occupy an area of 5-acre (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
The artistic director since 2008, former principal dancer Desmond Kelly OBE, stepped down in September 2012[4] and was replaced by former Birmingham Royal Ballet principal dancer Robert Parker.[5][6]
Staff
- Principal – Jessica Ward BA (Hons), NPQH[7]
- Artistic Director – Robert Parker[7]
Mary Goodhew is a former Artistic Director.
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 at Ofsted
- ^ School inspection report, 2008 Independent Schools Council
- ^ An Introduction to Elmhurst at official website
- ^ Elmhurst School for Dance starts search for new Artistic Director Ballet News, 5 July 2011
- ^ Elmhurst Announces Appointment of New Artistic Director at official website
- ^ Ismene Brown Nuclear star dancer Robert Parker leaps to head ballet school at The Arts Desk, 19 September 2011
- ^ a b "Senior Management". Elmhurst School for Dance. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
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.
