We were lucky today to have former Royal Ballet principal ballerina and Director Dame Monica Mason DBE at the School to talk to 2nd Year students about her career.

The talk formed part of the students’ Btec Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance) where they learn about different jobs roles.

The students had lots of questions for Dame Monica about being a Director, dancer and rehearsal director, as well as about what makes a Royal Ballet dancer. She also talked about the next step in the evolution of the Company and her own history of working with different choreographers.

It was an inspiring experience for the students, broadening their knowledge about the necessary life skills of a dancer.

Dame Monica’s key advice for students was to nurture their imagination and individuality � not to conform to the popularised image of perfection. And also not to use the mirror too much when training, to work from their own feeling of the movement.

Students at the School study a variety of job roles as part of their Performing Arts Business unit which is one of the six units studied the second year of their Btec Diploma in Performing Arts(Dance). The Diploma is equivalent to two A Levels, and all students at the School are registered on the course.

Earlier in term, students had the chance to visit the Royal Opera House to see a range of different departments and talk to Deidre Chapman, Rehearsal Director of The Royal Ballet company about her role.