Elmhurst Ballet School
Type | Independent school |
---|---|
President | David Eastwood |
Principal | Jessica Ward |
Artistic Director | Robert Parker |
Patron | HRH The Duchess of Cornwall |
Founder | Helen Mortimer |
Location |
249 Bristol Road Edgbaston Birmingham West Midlands B5 7UH United Kingdom |
Local authority | Birmingham |
DfE URN | 134908 Tables |
Students | 189 |
Gender | Coeducational |
Ages | 11–19 |
Website | Official Website |
Elmhurst School for Dance 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 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
- 1 2 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
- 1 2 "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.
Coordinates: 52°27′15″N 1°54′46″W / 52.4542°N 1.9127°W