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Samara downs has her dark short hair tied back in a ponytail and wears a long black t-shirt with 'birmingham royal ballet' written on the front left. Her arms are gesturing in front of her, and her head is turned to the right in profile, looking towards the students.

‘Refine all the time:’ alum Samara Downs on staging Checkmate and Swan Lake for our Summer Performances 

Alumni news, Performances and events

‘Refine all the time:’ alum Samara Downs on staging Checkmate and Swan Lake for our Summer Performances  School alum and Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal dancer Samara Downs recently returned to the School to set Ninette de Valois’s Checkmate and Peter Wright’s Swan Lake on our Upper School students for our 2026 Summer Performances. She has previously worked with our students on Frederick Ashton’s La Valse for our 2024 Summer Performances.  Samara talked to us about her experience working with the students after a Swan Lake Spanish divertissement rehearsal. ‘The students were […]

‘Refine all the time:’ alum Samara Downs on staging Checkmate and Swan Lake for our Summer Performances  Read More »

Susan lucas stands front and centre with a group of ballet teachers in the sbs studio at white lodge. They all smile towards the camera.

Remembering Susan Lucas

Announcements

Remembering Susan Lucas The Royal Ballet School is deeply saddened to learn that Susan Lucas, a former Birmingham Associate Teacher and alum of the School, has died.  Susan (Sue) first joined the School aged 16 after winning the Cyril Beaumont Scholarship to attend the Upper School. She graduated following a performance of Coppélia, dancing the role of Swanhilda across Sir David Bintley’s Dr Coppelius. She joined the

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100 stories: lauren cuthbertson

100 stories: Lauren Cuthbertson

Alumni news, Centenary

100 stories: Lauren Cuthbertson As part of our centenary year, we are featuring 100 stories that make up The Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future. Today, we share the story of alum Lauren Cuthbertson, now Guest Principal Artist of The Royal Ballet and current student of our Diploma of Dance Teaching, and how she has come full circle through the ecosystem of the School.  When Lauren Cuthbertson

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2nd year and pre-professional year students rehearse together

The School announces future changes to Upper School full-time training audition

Announcements

The School announces future changes to Upper School full-time training audition We are pleased to announce a change to full-time training at The Royal Ballet School’s Upper School.   Effective from September 2026. 2nd Year students will no longer be required to audition to enter the Pre-professional (3rd) Year at Upper School, and will instead take part in an assessment process, like that

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Four black mannequins display uniforms and costumes from the past. From left to right: a navy blue blazer with the royal ballet school crest and a scarf wrapped around the neck with light blue and dark green stripes; a little swan dress with a white crown and feather details; a dark green traditional irish dance dress with intricate white patterns running down the front symmetrically; a white dress with a blue floral pattern, a white lace collar and a straw hat.

The Royal Opera House opens part one of The Royal Ballet School’s centenary exhibition, designed by Exhibitions Curator Robin Footitt

Centenary, Community and outreach

The Royal Opera House opens part one of The Royal Ballet School’s centenary exhibition, designed by Exhibitions Curator Robin Footitt Early on Monday, 18 May, the Royal Opera House lobby transformed into a flurry of mannequins, archival costumes and light fixtures to set The Royal Ballet School’s centenary exhibition.  Designed by the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Exhibitions Curator Robin Footitt, this display marks the first of three exhibition

The Royal Opera House opens part one of The Royal Ballet School’s centenary exhibition, designed by Exhibitions Curator Robin Footitt Read More »

Frederick ashton emerging choreographer 2026 

Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer 2026 

Choreographic Programme, Performances and events, School life

Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer 2026  On Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 May, our 2nd Year students participated in the annual Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer performances, held at the Upper School Linden Studio Theatre.  Named for the Founding Choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Frederick Ashton, this event invites students to develop and present their own choreography under the guidance of Choreographic Course Coordinator & Tutor Mikaela Polley. The 15 student

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Jake stands in front of a backdrop with colourful muted brush strokes. He wears a black polo shirt with a white undershirt. He has short brown hair and some facial hair.

Alum and artist Jake Walker on creating movement through brushstrokes 

Alumni news, Associate Programme

Alum and artist Jake Walker on creating movement through brushstrokes  From The Royal Ballet School to Slade School of Fine Art, alum Jake Walker has expanded his artistry in exciting, multidisciplinary forms. He returned to the School for the first time in over a decade this April, reminiscing on his time in the Associate Programme and full-time training at White Lodge and reflecting on how his

Alum and artist Jake Walker on creating movement through brushstrokes  Read More »

School supporters celebrate centenary at the king’s gallery, buckingham palace 

School supporters celebrate centenary at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace 

Centenary, Performances and events

School supporters celebrate centenary at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace  On 22 and 23 April, The Royal Ballet School hosted donors, supporters, friends and members of the School community for two memorable evenings at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace to celebrate the School’s centenary.   Guests were granted exclusive access to the critically acclaimed exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, the largest display of the monarch’s wardrobe ever staged. This exhibition provided a fitting context to

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100 stories: nandita shankardass

100 stories: Nandita Shankardass

Alumni news, Centenary

100 stories: Nandita Shankardass As part of our centenary year, we are featuring 100 stories that make up The Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future. Today, we share the story of alum, dance artist, choreographer, teacher, multidisciplinary facilitator and the Founder of Welcome Movement® Nandita Shankardass.  We spoke with Nandita this April as she returned to White Lodge for the first time since she

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Six white lodge prize winners show work at the young art 2026 exhibition

Six White Lodge prize winners show work at the Young Art 2026 Exhibition

Community and outreach, Performances and events, School life

Six White Lodge prize winners show work at the Young Art 2026 Exhibition Head of Art Clare Quamina recently accompanied six White Lodge students to Christie’s auction house in St James’s to view their artwork in the Young Art Exhibition. She writes, ‘On Tuesday 21 April Year 9 students Chien-Ning, Myles, Eliana, Alba and Ryleigh and Year 11 student Ayuka

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