Junior Associate Insight Classes: a glimpse into The Royal Ballet School’s training 

This half-term, nearly 200 young dancers across the United Kingdom participated in our Junior Associate Insight classes. These sessions offer aspiring dancers and their parents a chance to experience what it’s like to be a Junior Associate at The Royal Ballet School. 

Victoria Collinson, Head of Associates and Primary Steps Programmes, shared her thoughts on the success of the classes: 

The classes are to give young dancers and their parents an insight into what a Junior Associate class is like. Classes were a great success at all three centres, and it was lovely to see so many young and enthusiastic dancers keen to come and try out a class. We are hoping to see many of them again in May at our auditions for the Junior Associate Programme. 

Held in Bath, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, and Manchester, Insight classes provide a snapshot of the world-class training we offer. Each session includes an Associate-style class led by our expert Artistic staff, followed by a Q&A where students and parents can ask questions about the programme. 

Applications for the Junior Associate Programme open Tuesday 25 February 

This programme nurtures young, talented students between the ages of 8 and 10, complementing their current ballet training with our world-renowned System of Training. Many Junior Associates go on to full-time training at White Lodge and even into The Royal Ballet Companies. 

Classes run from September to June, and cover body conditioning, barre work, centre work including preparation for pirouettes, port de bras, and jumps. 

If your young dancer is passionate about ballet and would like to train with us, we encourage you to apply. Applications close Wednesday 2 April, and auditions will take place in the summer term. 

For more information on our Junior Associate Programme and how to apply, click here.