Siblings who dance together, stay together – meet Junior Associates Teddy and Tilly

For siblings Teddy, aged 10, and Tilly, aged 11, ballet is a family affair. The pair attend the School’s Junior Associate classes at our centre in Eastleigh, under the guidance of Eastleigh Associate teacher Jayne Cooper. 

According to their mum, Lizzie Frances, Tilly always loved listening to music and dancing along, so when she was three years old they enrolled her in ballet classes, and she never looked back. Younger brother Teddy always stretched his feet beautifully in the cot and enjoyed watching Tilly and her ballet classmates. Naturally he assumed once he was old enough, he too would start ballet. He instantly loved it and fully immersed himself in the world of dance and performance alongside his sister.  

Once they were both old enough, their teacher Katie suggested that they audition for the Junior Associate Programme. We were thrilled that Katie thought they were ready for such a prestigious programme. Katie helped them with their application photos, and we signed them up for the audition. We didn’t tell them it was an audition, just a class for them to enjoy, which they did. They were thrilled when they found out they had been offered a place, and they could go to the classes every week. 

We asked Teddy and Tilly what they love most about the Junior Associate Programme in Eastleigh, and what it’s like to share the experience together as brother and sister:  

Teddy: I really enjoy the challenge of my Junior Associate classes. Miss Cooper knows everything about ballet, and she gives me lots to think about and motivates me to work hard. I like all the ballet videos Miss Cooper recommends we watch as part of our homework. I love that sometimes we go to Covent Garden and audition for roles at the Opera House. One time we got to go over the Bridge of Aspiration. 

Tilly: I love being with like-minded ballet dancers. Everyone is so good in different ways so as well as learning from my teacher, I learn from the other dancers too. I love learning about my body and the way it works when I dance. Miss Cooper is such a lovely teacher. She is kind and encouraging and I feel proud to dance in front of her. I always think about what I learn in my Junior Associate classes in my regular dance classes and I feel I’ve really improved. I love dancing to Mrs Evans piano music too. 

Teddy: I like that Tilly is there as we can do our homework and body conditioning together. Sometimes funny things happen in class and we laugh about that on the way home together. 

Tilly: I like that Ted is there as we can chat about what we have done in class and we talk about things that one of us might not have understood. We feel proud walking to classes in our navy tracksuits together. 

Lizzie added her thoughts from a parent’s perspective: 

The best part is watching my two shy little dancers really begin to blossom into knowledgeable, technical and confident dancers. They really think now as they dance and are motivated to improve and work hard. Eastleigh is a special centre as parents are welcome to sit outside the room during the lessons. This means we can sit and chat with a coffee and occasionally listen to the class taking place. Miss Cooper often pops out and gives us updates so we feel really involved and part of the experience. As well as the weekly lessons we are also invited to zoom sessions about nutrition and vocational training, so we know how to best support our dancers. 

To parents considering the Junior Associate Programme for their children, Lizzie couldn’t recommend it enough, highlighting the external opportunities that are available: 

I would really recommend parents signing their children up for a Junior Associate audition. The classes supplement their regular classes so well and the children make such improvements. Teddy has also been cast in Light of Passage which is currently on at The Royal Opera House and we are so excited to watch him. The Junior Associate Programme offers such brilliant opportunities and experiences.  

Teddy was also recently cast in The Snowman at The Peacock theatre in London over Christmas and shared the skills and technique that he has learnt during his time as a Junior Associate that helped prepare him for his debut on the West End.  

When I was in ‘The Snowman’ I had to perform a seven-minute flying sequence to ‘Walking In the Air’. The boy and the snowman fly on a single wire, which is tricky as you have to have a strong core otherwise you will spin all over the place! Miss Cooper has taught me a lot about my posture and the importance of having a strong core. We are taught to imagine our body as building blocks balanced on top of each other and our pelvis as a fish bowl. I took this knowledge into flying rehearsals and it really helped me fly. 

I love being a Junior Associate. You don’t have to be an experienced dancer, you just have to show you love ballet and dancing. Miss Cooper has made me realise that boy dancers are athletes. We are strong and I’m proud to be one. 

Applications for our Junior Associate Programme are now open  

This programme is for students aged 8 to 10 who wish to take class with The Royal Ballet School, alongside their regular ballet classes.

Classes run from September to June at centres in Bath, Birmingham, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Eastleigh, Leeds, London, and Manchester. All classes are held on Saturdays apart from our Edinburgh centre, which run on Sundays.  

Auditions will take place in the summer term and are run like a regular ballet class. Students are not required to prepare anything, but should have some prior ballet experience. 

Learn more about the programme and audition process, and have your questions answered in real time by Admissions Manager, Kim Sheard, and Head of Associates and Primary Steps Programmes, Victoria Collinson at a free online Q&A on Wednesday 12 March 2025, 10.30 GMT. Register here.  

Applications close Wednesday 2 April 2025. For more information and to apply, click here.  

Photography:

1. Teddy and Tilly with Eastleigh Junior Associate Teacher Jayne Cooper. 

2. Teddy and Tilly.

3. Teddy in Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage, The Royal Ballet ©2025 Camilla Greenwell.