Northern Ballet Academy Prospectus 2011

the training school of Northern Ballet

prospectus

your futurestarts here...

northern ballet academy

As the official training school of Northern Ballet our Academy offers expert training to all regardless of age or previous experience.Whether you aspire to become a professionaldancer or want to dance for fun we havesomething for you.

Contents

Page 3 A message from David Nixon OBE

Page 4 Northern Ballet Academy

Page 6 World-class facilities

Page 8 Teaching staff and the Ichino Method

Page 12 Connections with Northern Ballet

Page 13 A career in dance

Page 14 Professional Programme: Centre for Advanced Training

Page 16 Associate Programme

Page 17 International Easter Course and Summer School

Page 18 Dance classes for all and Friends of Northen Ballet Academy

Enclosures Application forms, fees andaudition dates

Photos top to bottomDarren Goldsmith, E. Kauldhar, Martin BellPhoto opposite Richard Moran

prospectus 3

Message from David Nixon OBEDirector, Northern Ballet AcademyArtistic Director, Northern Ballet

It has been a long-held dream to establish a unique centre of classicaldance training alongside the professional company of Northern Ballet. Nowthat we have fantastic state-of-the-art facilities in central Leeds NorthernBallet Academy can flourish.

Our home is a powerhouse for inventive dance where we can nurture andinspire the dancers of tomorrow in a unique environment unrivalled outsideLondon. Our aim is to nurture professional dancers who are not onlytechnically accomplished by way of the Ichino Method, but who have theconfidence to grow dramatically and creatively. Our training faculty, many ofwhom are distinguished ex-dancers themselves, not only want to push thestudents to their limits but also care deeply about their whole well-being.Much of the work that the Academy does would not be possible without thehelp of the Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme and Iwould like to say a sincere thank you to them for this.

Testament to our success so far is our 100% graduation rate for ourProfessional Programme students and the number of our ex-students whoreturn to our International Summer School year after year. As I push artisticboundaries as a choreographer I realise that the dancers of today need tobe able to give much more than ever before. The Northern Ballet Academy’saim is to realise the full individual potential of every dancer that chooses totrain with us. It will be hard, hard work, but worth it.

northern ballet academyoffers you

4 northern ballet academy

Expert and experiencedteaching faculty with a wealth of knowledge having beenprofessional dancersthemselves

World-class facilities, purpose-built for dance

Inspiration through trainingalongside professional dancersof both Northern Ballet andPhoenix Dance Theatre

Performance opportunitiesincluding performances withNorthern Ballet

A range of courses and classesto suit each individual

Training focused on producingdancers ready for today’s dance world

Professional non-residentialtraining, students can remain at home while achieving theirambitions

Support and advice for everystudent

Healthy training for happy bodies

Photo Martin Bell

prospectus 5

‘I like the fact that everyone is so kind andhelpful. I love my ballet classes the mostbecause I get to learn new techniques I havenever done before. I am really enjoying thecontemporary class because it is something I had never experienced.’Lauren Crooks, Northern Ballet Academy Associate

Be a part of the Northern Ballet Academy. Call us now on 0113 220 8000 or [email protected] or visitwww.northernballet.com/academy


Northern Ballet Academy is based at NorthernBallet’s headquarters in central Leeds. A newpurpose-built centre for dance, the biggestoutside London and featuring Europe’s largestdance studio, it is also home to Phoenix Dance Theatre.

We are able to offer a unique trainingenvironment where pupils can experienceworking alongside two internationallyrenowned dance companies in state-of-the-artfacilities with a world-class teaching faculty.

Northern Ballet Academy is located in Leeds’cultural quarter and we are surrounded byother major cultural organisations such asWest Yorkshire Playhouse, Opera North,Yorkshire Dance, Leeds College of Music and the BBC.

Our home features

7 spacious dance studios

230-seat Studio Theatre whereAcademy students will have theopportunity to perform

Health suite with on-sitephysiotherapists

Café serving a range of delicioushot and cold food

Full accessibility to people withdisabilities with a hearing loopin all dance studios

A safe environment for youngpeople with private changingfacilities and securely contained studios

a powerhousefor inventivedance

Photo above and oppositeJonathan Taylor

prospectus 7

“The new building means I can experience a widerrange of dance styles whichwill broaden my horizonswhen it comes to choosing a career later in life” Tim Dutson, Northern BalletAcademy ProfessionalDivision student

be inspired

Our teachers and our technique

With a faculty of teachers who have beenprofessional dancers themselves andhave first-hand experience of what ittakes to be a dancer performing at thehighest level, we understand what ittakes to train dancers ready for aperformance career.

All classes are accompanied by our teamof accomplished musicians.

David Nixon OBEDirector(Read David’s biography atwww.northernballet.com/davidnixon)

Yoko IchinoAssociate DirectorYoko is widely recognised as one of theprincipal prima ballerinas of hergeneration. She has performed with theworld’s leading dance companies suchas American Ballet Theatre, NationalBallet of Canada, Australian Ballet andthe Berlin Opera Ballet to name but afew. She has been partnered by some ofthe greatest male dancers including Rudolf Nureyev, Sir Anthony Dowell,Fernando Bujones, David Nixon OBE andHelgi Tomasson.

Yoko has a wide range of teachingexperience having taught for over 35years at many of the top balletcompanies around the world. She wasDirector of the Professional TrainingProgramme at BalletMet from 1995-2001, training both the company andthe vocational students. Since 2001Yoko has worked with Northern Balletas Curriculum Manager, Ballet Mistressand Associate Director to the Academywhilst continuing her successfulinternational teaching career.

Viki WestallDeputy Associate DirectorViki danced with London Festival Ballet(now English National Ballet) for sevenyears and has worked with a wealth ofinternational choreographers. In 1986Viki joined Northern Ballet and underthe directorship of Christopher Gabledanced most the Company’s principalroles. Viki has more than a decade ofteaching experience, is a qualified BodyControl Pilates teacher and also writesand reviews for Dance Europe.

For a full list of the Academy’s faculty for the current year and their biographies visitwww.northernballet.com/academy


prospectus 9

Photos Martin Bell, Darren Goldsmith, Simon Lawson

“My daughter has been at Northern Balletfor just over 15 months now but herdevelopment under [Academy Ballet Tutor]Cara O’Shea’s tutelage has been meteoric.Parents and friends at her dance schoolconstantly come up to me to comment onhow different and noticeable her poise,technique and above all her confidence havebecome. This can only be attributable to theinput and the wonderful atmosphere that isgenerated by the teachers and everyoneinvolved with her welfare at Northern Ballet.There are not enough hours spent at theAcademy as far as Melissa is concerned, shejust loves to be part of ‘the family’ ofNorthern Ballet.”Kath Midgley, parent of Professional Division student

our technique10 northern ballet academy

The Ichino Method

All dancers at Northern Ballet from our youngest studentthrough to our professional dancers follow the IchinoMethod designed by Associate Director, Yoko Ichino.

The method has been developed over Yoko’s 40 years as aworld-renowned principal dancer and 35 years as aninternational teacher. We believe that it is important thatdancers understand their own bodies. The Ichino Method aimsto provide students with basic principles that are importantfor a successful and healthy life and not just for dance.

The Ichino Method utilises basic anatomical truths andmovement analysis that permit the body to work in its mostnatural, organic manner to achieve the strongest technicaland artistic dance skills. Following principles of correct bodyalignment accompanied by a series of special exercises tobring internal awareness and build strength, the systempromotes the ability of the dancers to maximise their fullpotential. This results in a healthier dancer ready to meetthe demands of the career. It allows students to realise theirfull potential in technical ballet skills whilst respecting thewell-being of the individual.

The technique has received wide recognition and Yoko hasbeen asked to teach at many of the top vocational schools.The method is different to some more traditional syllabusesbut is not conflicting and Yoko has taught many workshopsfor dance organisations, the Royal Academy of Danceincluded. The results speak for themselves with 100% ofour Professional Programme students graduating to furthertraining at top vocational schools such as BallettschuleHamburg, Central School of Ballet, English National BalletSchool, The Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst and The RoyalScottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) inassociation with Scottish Ballet.

It is importantthat dancersunderstand theirown bodies. TheIchino Methodaims to providestudents withbasic principlesthat are importantfor a successfuland healthy life

prospectus 11

“I think that the best thing about thetraining is that we are taught notonly the technique and movementbut we are taught the science behindit. I find this really helpful as it givesme an understanding of why thingsare done in a certain way and I canvisualise the body while doing themovement.”Devon Hartley, Northern BalletAcademy Professional Divisionstudent

“I always used to look in the mirror tofix myself, but I’d always look at mydecoration leg. At Northern Ballet werarely use the mirrors, which isbeneficial because you have to feelyour muscles rather than see them.On stage, all you have is your body tohelp you and your muscle memory.Centre barre has made me a lotstronger – not having that luxury of abit of wood to hang on to and onlyusing your muscles. It was hard forme to do many things but I felt muchstronger as I went on. I could feelthings improving because I wasn’tstaring at them, and had only mymuscles to rely on.”Joanne Thwaite, ex Northern Ballet Academy student now dancing with English National Ballet

Photos E. Kauldhar and Martin Bell

Yoko Ichino in class with a professionaltraining student

connections withnorthern ballet

In addition to the excitement and inspiration of sharingthe same building with Northern Ballet dancers andhaving the opportunity to watch them in class andrehearsal, Academy students periodically get thewonderful chance to perform on stage in variousNorthern Ballet productions.

“We got a real insight into performing life and it mademe even hungrier to achieve my dream of becoming aprofessional dancer” Matthew Valentine, Northern Ballet Academy graduateon performing in Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker.Matthew is now training at Rambert School of Balletand Contemporary Dance

“Northern Ballet has made me a stronger, morefocused dancer. The opportunity to perform in TheNutcracker has built my confidence on stage.” Emily Ball, Northern Ballet Academy graduate nowdancing with English National Ballet

“One of my treasured moments at Northern BalletAcademy was getting the opportunity to perform inGillian Lynne’s A Simple Man. Dancing alongside theCompany was really inspirational and a fantasticexperience, one I will never forget.” Charlotte Tonkinson, Northern Ballet AcademyProfessional Programme student

“I remember thinking having a microphone was reallycool! It was a nerve-wracking experience but great tobe singing with a really big orchestra.” Andrew Tomlinson, Northern Ballet AcademyProfessional Programme student on playing Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol


A Christmas Carol

The Nutcracker

A Simple Man

Photos Bill Cooper

prospectus 13

a career in dance

The training at Northern Ballet Academy isfocused towards the reality of a career indance. Graduates from Northern BalletAcademy can be found in many major dancecompanies and we are very proud of them all.

Six Academy alumni are currently performingwith Northern Ballet and they are proof thatyour dreams can come true with the NorthernBallet Academy.

Other graduates are now dancing withcompanies such as English National Ballet,Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, RandomDance, Rambert Dance Company and ScottishBallet to name but a few in the UK alone.

“Students within the Academyget the incredible training we do,which forces them to becomebetter. They also have thefantastic opportunity to watchthe Company demonstrating themore advanced use of Yoko’stechnique; showing them that ifthey persevere, they can becomestronger, confident dancers.What better way to see thebenefits of such a technique?”Victoria Sibson, AcademyAssociate graduate 2002,Northern Ballet Soloist

Victoria Sibson, Academy and Central School of Balletgraduate, Northern Ballet Soloist. Photo Bill Cooper

Joshua Barwick, Academy and Elmhurst graduate,Northern Ballet Apprentice. Photo Peter Teigan

professional programme centre for advancedtraining


Dream of becoming a professional dancer?

Northern Ballet Academy is proud to be one ofthe country’s National Centres for AdvancedTraining (CATs). Our professional trainingprogramme allows young dancers aged 10-17the chance to access elite, intensive, non-residential dance training to help themfulfil their potential and achieve their dreams.

We are looking for motivated and passionateyoung people who show exceptional potentialin classical dance.

There are nine national dance CATs across the country. Northern Ballet is the only CATspecialising in classical ballet. We work inpartnership with Northern School of ContemporaryDance who provide a corresponding programmefor contemporary dancers. Together we formthe Centre for Advanced Training in Yorkshire(Yorkshire Young Dancers).

Residential training is not right for everystudent and the CAT programmes offer analternative to this. Students train intensivelywith us but still live at home and carry on withtheir regular academic school.

We offer

Individual training plans for eachstudent to suit their needs andtheir own personal progress

8 hours a week training in thefirst year of the programme whichwill increase as the studentprogresses to up to 16 hours

Classes in classical ballet,pilates, jazz, contemporary,music and drama to ensure ourstudents are able to meet thedemands of a 21st century careerin dance

Intensive weekends and coursesduring the holidays to buildstudents’ confidence andknowledge of the arts

Theatre trips and opportunities toperform, including performanceswith Northern Ballet

Mentoring for every student as well as professional adviceand care

To date 100% of our graduates have secured places at topinternational ballet schools including English National BalletSchool, Central School of Ballet, Ballettschule Hamburg, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and RSAMDin partnership with Scottish Ballet.

prospectus 15

Part of the Northern Ballet family

Northern Ballet company dancers are verysupportive of the Academy and ProfessionalProgramme students are mentored and guidedby a special ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ from theCompany.

“As part of the Academy’s ‘Brothers andSisters’ scheme I recently signed up to mentorone of the younger groups of students andhave witnessed first hand the way Yoko bringsthe best out of the children she teaches. Theskills they learn can be applied to anythingthey do in the future, not just ballet.”Tobias Batley, Premier Dancer, Northern Ballet

The Programme issupported by theDepartment for Educationand means tested grantsare available through theMusic and DanceScheme to cover the fullcost of training.

Entrance to this course is by audition only. To register for an audition please fill in the formsat the back of this brochure or apply online atwww.northernballet.com/academy

For more information on the National Dance CATsplease visit www.nationaldancecats.co.uk

Top left: Academy Graduates from left to rightJoshua Barwick – Apprentice with NorthernBallet, Leon Moran – Central School of Ballet,Dale Rhodes – Ballettschule Hamburg, Andrew McNicol – Central School of Ballet,Matthew Topliss – RSAMD in partnership withScottish Ballet. Bottom right: Tobias Batley, Northern BalletPremier Dancer, talking to students.

Photos Darren Goldsmith, Martin Bell, Hannah Kirkpatrick

associateprogramme


The Northern Ballet AssociateProgramme has been running for overten years. It has an excellent successrate in helping students achieve theirambitions and gain places at the topvocational training schools in thiscountry. The programme, split intothree strands – Junior, Intermediateand Senior – is for those aspiringyoung dancers between the ages of 10and 16 years who wish to access theAcademy’s wonderful facilities andhigh quality training whilst stillattending their regular dance school.

Associate students train with us oncea week. Classes run for 33 weeks ofthe year during term time and acommitment to attend regular weeklyclasses is required.

The Intermediate and Senior classesalso have a weekly contemporarytechnique class. Contemporary danceis not only a recognised dance formbut also a pre-requisite part ofcomplete dance training.

Our new home allows the NorthernBallet Associates to watch and learnfirst hand from the professionaldancers of Northern Ballet givingstudents a realistic insight into theprofession.

“At Northern Ballet I like dancing withnew, different people and havingdifferent teachers. I like the challengeto adapt to the different teaching styles. I think Northern Ballet has helped meimprove a lot during the last few years.”Alice Shepherson, Northern BalletAcademy Senior Associate

“I like the teachers. They are friendly,helpful and approachable” Charlotte Liddle, Northern BalletAcademy Senior Associate

Entrance onto this course is via audition.

Photo Martin Bell

prospectus 17

international easter courseand summer school

Our International Easter Course and Summer School are for studentsaged 12 to 19 years from all over the world and are designed tostrengthen and improve students’ classical, contemporary and jazztechnique in a professional environment.

They are suitable for students who are already in, or hoping to go into,full-time vocational dance training and, ultimately, a dance career. Dailypractical classes plus enhancement sessions are designed to give thestudents a greater insight into the life, commitment, delights andchallenges of a professional dancer. Both courses culminate in aninformal performance for parents and friends in our Studio Theatre.

Sessions for either 1 or 2 weeks can include

Classical technique

Pointe work

Men’s class

Contemporary dance

Body conditioning

Enhancement activities suchas jazz dance, drama, andpilates

Professional advice andguidance

Watching Northern Ballet’scompany class and rehearsal*

Observation by Northern BalletArtistic Director, David NixonOBE

‘Northern Ballet’s Summer Schoolhas been truly inspirational, notonly benefiting me as a dancer butas a person too, preparing me forwhat’s to come!’Elizabeth Savage, Central Schoolof Ballet

Entrance onto the courses is viaaudition**. Students will beplaced by age and experience.This is a non-residential coursebut we can recommend and liaisewith accommodation providers forthose over 16. Students takingpart in both the Easter andSummer programmes will beoffered a discount in fees.

Entrance onto this course is viaaudition.

*subject to Northern Ballet company availability

**Students in full time classical ballet training will beselected through a photo application


dance for all

friends

We offer

Mini movers (for parents and tots aged 18 months+)

Ballet classes for students aged 4-16

Jazz classes for students aged 8-16

Contemporary classes for studentsaged 14+

Adult classes in ballet, jazz andcontemporary

We believe that there is a dancer ineveryone so now is your chance toshine!

We offer a range of dance classes andcourses for people aged 18 monthsand above and for those who just wantto dance for fun or who are perhaps notyet ready for our Associate orProfessional programmes. Theseclasses act as a fantastic insight intoour more intensive programmes andare open to everyone who wants todance. No audition necessary – just enthusiasm!

We all know how important friends are.For as little as £25 a year you canbecome a Friend of Northern BalletAcademy and play a very important partin developing our rising stars. You willreceive a regular Academy newsletterand invitations to attend Academy

events including the end of yearperformance. The support of our Friendsmakes a real difference to us andensures that we can improve ourresources and the opportunities for allour students. Thank you to everyone whohas supported us so far.

Become a Friend of Northern Ballet Academy

Photo Hannah Kirkpatrick Photos Marin Bell and Hannah Kirkpatrick

Call 0113 220 8000 or visit www.northernballet.com/academy to register for ourdance classes and courses or to become a Friend of Northern Ballet Academy

Charlotte Tonkinson, ProfessionalProgramme student, preparing forher performance in The Nutcracker.Photo Simon Lawson


Contact us

Northern Ballet AcademyNorthern BalletQuarry HillLeedsLS2 7PA

0113 220 [email protected]/academy

Northern Ballet has created a powerhousefor inventive danceJoin our keep in touch service to get regularnews and updates from Northern Ballet, aswell as special offers, competitions, ticketalerts and behind-the-scenes photos andfootage. Sign up at www.northernballet.com

You can also follow us on

Cover photo Martin BellProspectus designed by Andrassy Design www.andrassydesign.co.uk

www.nationaldancecats.co.uk

Documents

Northern Ballet Academy Prospectus 2011