Three longtime supporters of the School share why they choose to leave a lasting legacy for our students
As Free Wills Month comes to a close, we want to acknowledge a few of our valued supporters who have played an integral part in helping the School thrive for the past century and beyond.
The School has partnered with later life planners MyIntent to offer our community the opportunity to write their wills for free. These generous gifts create a lasting legacy – ensuring the School continues to inspire, nurture and transform the next generation of world-class dancers, choreographers and artistic leaders.
Actor and producer Nigel Pegram first became involved with the School in 1999 with his late wife, April Olrich. April had joined Colonel Wassily de Basil’s Original Ballet Russe company at age 13 before joineing Ninette de Valois’ Sadler’s Wells Ballet in 1949.
‘Then-Artistic Director of the School Gailene Stock asked my beloved wife, April, if she would found an award for Year 11 students in her name: The April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance.’ Nigel recalled. They did, beginning a decades long relationship with the School.
‘Since April and I don’t have children, we decided together that we would leave a percentage of our combined estate to the School to perpetuate the joy that we have had with these wonderful young people. It’s very precious to me. When April died, keeping in touch with alumni of the School throughout their careers has helped fill a very large hole.’
Olrich passed in 2014, with Pegram taking over the award, and since its launch in 2000, there have been 26 winners, including Francesca Hayward, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Bethany Kingsley Garner and Caspar Lench. The award is given to a Year 11 student with ‘something special, that inner magic that fires the audience.’
Legacy pledgers like Nigel and April provide incomparable support for our young dancers. ‘I support because I like being involved with this wonderful school,’ Nigel expresses. ‘It’s amongst the finest ballet schools in the world. And because of the pressures of VAT being taken away, we desperately need to raise funds for this extraordinary, wonderful place. So I beg people, if they love the ballet, if they love dance, if their children are involved in dance, think about opening your piggybank and leaving something to this glorious institution. I love it here. It’s like coming home.’
Left: Nigel with Nika, a recent awardee of The April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance .
90% of students rely on financial support to attend The Royal Ballet School, and our supporters’ generosity helps widen access to world class ballet training to dancers based on talent alone.
Patricia Chapman has been a donor to the School since 2001 and is most passionate about actively widening access, one of the School’s core values.
‘We support The Royal Ballet School because we want ballet to continue as an art form and recognise that this requires support at all levels. We also believe that young people with the talent to become professional dancers should have access to the best training regardless of their background. The greatest privilege, is to watch the students grow and develop as dancers.’
Legacy pledgers become valued members of the School’s Dame Ninette Circle, named in recognition of the School’s founder, Dame Ninette de Valois, and receive:
- Two invitations to open studio days (three per year)
- Two invitations to the Dame Ninette Circle afternoon tea
- Two invitations to the preview performances of the Ninette De Valois Choreographic Programme (three per year)
- Two invitations to attend the School’s annual Summer Performances at Opera Holland Park
- Priority booking for the annual Summer Performance matinee at the Royal Opera House
- Exclusive updates through the Inside the School newsletter.
Patricia says, ‘The most enjoyable part of supporting the School and the greatest privilege, is to watch the students grow and develop as dancers. Observing the many types of training they experience to develop their strength, technique and stage craft is a joy. We greatly admire the dedication of the staff and the respect to each other shown by students and staff.’
One event our legacy pledgers enjoy is our annual Summer Performance at Opera Holland Park. Pictured: Sweet Morning Blooms by Jessica Lang in 2025.
Donna Paris, former dance teacher, similarly wished to contribute to what she thinks is ‘the best ballet school in the world’ by leaving a gift to the School in her will.
‘Since being involved through leaving a legacy, the School has truly exceeded my expectations. The students are highly talented individuals with great promise in this art form. It is not only about the standard of training but also the consistent respect, care and nurturing of each individual dancer that is most evident and admirable. I relish being able to follow these young dancers on their path through training and into their careers.
My favourite thing about being part of the School community is that I am made to feel involved and truly appreciated. The School is most generous in inviting me to special events. It’s such a privilege to have this insight opportunity and only reaffirms my decision to leave a legacy.
I feel excited about the future of ballet and knowing I’m playing a part. In the safe hands of The Royal Ballet School, ballet will continue to thrive and enthral generations to come. Allowing me to be a part of that – what a lovely legacy.’
Write your will for free now at www.royalballetschool.org.uk/support/legacy-and-in-memory.
To discuss leaving a gift in your will to The Royal Ballet School or if you have any questions on the information above, please contact Ella Cooper: [email protected]
