Junior Associate Programme
Our Junior Associate Programme is for students aged eight to 10 who wish to take class with The Royal Ballet School, alongside their regular ballet classes.
Classes run from September to June at our centres around the UK, in Birmingham, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Stroud, Cardiff, Newcastle and Manchester. All classes are held on Saturdays with the exception of our Edinburgh and Newcastle centres, which run on Sundays.
Benefits
- An introduction to The Royal Ballet School System of Training
- Enhanced ballet training with the view to a full-time vocational education
- Dance with students of a similar age who share the same passion and drive for a career in dance
- The creation of lifelong friendships.
Classes include
- Ballet conditioning programme
- Classical ballet
- Centre work including preparation for pirouettes
- Port de bras
- Jumps
- Creative tasks, national dance and Playford Dances
Opportunities
- The School aims to invite all Associate students to attend one pre-general rehearsal at the Royal Ballet and Opera in Covent Garden during the year
- Students are invited to attend a workshop held at Upper School to enhance their training
- Students are invited to online workshops with our healthcare team, covering a wide range of topics designed to best support the dancer outside the studio
- Occasionally, Associates are asked to take part in productions by The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and visiting companies.
Become a Junior Associate
Eligibility
- Students aged 8-10 by 31 August 2026 (may apply while in school years 3, 4 and 5)
- No specific experience – we recommend speaking to your child’s dance teacher if you are unsure
- Ability to travel to your nearest Associate centre each day that classes are run during the academic year.
Photograph requirements
All applicants must submit photos as part of their application.
Fees
Application fee: £60
How to apply
Applications for our Junior Associate Programme open in February each year. Auditions are held in the Summer Term and are for courses which start in September.
Applications are now open.
Applications close 2 April at 11:00 GMT
We offer all applicants who submit their application by the closing date a preliminary audition. Our auditions are held at our centres around the UK.
Auditions are run like a regular ballet class. Students are not required to prepare anything, but should have some prior ballet experience.
Audition dates 2026
Stroud
29 April 2026
Leeds
1, 8 May 2026
Manchester
6 May 2026
Eastleigh
12 May 2026
Birmingham
13, 14 May 2026
Edinburgh
19 May 2026
Newcastle
20 May 2026
Cardiff
22 May 2026
London
26, 27, 28, 29 May 2026
Experience an Associate class
Each year we welcome young dancers, in studying in year 3 to 10 at academic school, to attend our Junior, Mid and Senior Associate Insight dance classes.
Our Junior Associate Insight Days take place at our centres across the UK. Our Mid and Senior Associate Insight Days are held at the Upper School in Covent Garden.
Want an insight into the Junior Associate programme?
Our new bundle of online insight videos are a great first step for interested dancers and their families to learn more about the programme, including:
- Audition preparation, process and expectations
- Developing artistry and exploring creativity
- Exclusive conversation with current Junior Associate teachers and students.
