Junior Associate Programme

Our Junior Associate 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 seven centres around the UK, in Bath, Birmingham, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, and Manchester. All classes are held on Saturdays with the exception of our Edinburgh centre, 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 life long friendships.

Classes include

• Body conditioning
• Barre work
• Centre work including preparation for pirouettes
• Port de bras
• Jumps

Opportunities

The School aims to invite all Associate students to attend one pre-general rehearsal at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden during the year. In addition, we invite students to attend a workshop held at the Upper School to enhance their training. Occasionally, Associates are asked to take part in productions by The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and visiting companies.

Become a Junior Associate

Eligibility

• All students aged 8-10 by 31 August 2025 (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.

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.

We offer all applicants who submit their application by the closing date a preliminary audition. Our auditions are held at our centres in Bath, Birmingham, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester.

Fees

Application fee: £60

Applications for Junior Associates 2025/26 entry

Auditions are run like a regular ballet class. Students are not required to prepare anything, but should have some prior ballet experience.

Applications close: 11.00 Wednesday 2 April

All applicants must submit photos as part of their application.

Audition dates

Bath

Wednesday 30 April

Leeds

Friday 2 May

Friday 9 May

Manchester

Wednesday 7 May

Eastleigh

Tuesday 13 May

Birmingham

Thursday 15 May

Friday 16 May

Edinburgh

Wednesday 21 May

London

Tuesday 27 May

Wednesday 28 May

Thursday 29 May

Friday 30 May

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.