Professional division
Centre for Advanced Training (CAT)
Mission
The Professional Division is for students aged between 10 and 17 years old and provides intensive, non residential training to students who show exceptional potential in classical dance.
100% of our students who have wished to continue their training post 17 have gained entry into the top Vocational Dance Schools both in the UK and abroad.
I feel I have been given a fantastic opportunity just by being given the chance to attend [Northern Ballet] and continue to follow my dreams of being a dancer. I absolutely adore coming to training and the more I train, the more I want to learn. I feel that I have learnt so much and that I have improved a lot in my first two years. I am determined to improve even more so I can become the best dancer I possibly can be.
Sally Hind, Professional Division
Course content
As a professional Ballet Company we are perfectly placed to set students on pathways to rewarding, self-sustaining careers in dance. The Professional Training programme aims to create dancers for the modern dance world and the curriculum has been specially designed to incorporate a number of subjects to enhance the student’s ballet training.
At Northern Ballet we believe that full time dance training is not what is best for every child as some students excel further if they are allowed to stay at home for longer. The CAT programme offers an alternative to full time dance training. Students live at home and still attend their regular academic schools but they train with Northern Ballet during the evenings and weekends. For many children this is a perfect balance as it allows them to keep up their strong academics whilst pursuing their love of dance.
The training is individually specified through bespoke training plans helping pupils take ownership of their own learning and realise their personal potential and creativity.
Experts from the professional dance industry nurture and encourage CAT students through a broad range of dance activities; designed to maximise their learning and enable them to excel technically and artistically.
Regular one-on-one tutorials and mentoring offer valuable careers advice and help equip students with the skills to successfully audition for elite vocational dance schools at 16 or 17 years.
As part of the Academy's ‘Brothers and Sisters’ scheme ... I have witnessed first hand the way Yoko brings the best out of the children she teaches, the skills they learn can be applied to anything they do in future, not just ballet
Tobias Batley, Northern Ballet Premier Artist
Foundation year 1
Approximately 10 hours training a week focusing on
- Usage and understanding of proper natural posture and body alignment
- Body conditioning to strengthen and re-balance any muscular imbalances
- Presentation/joy of movement
- Creativity
- Introduction to pointe work
Additional sessions include
- Jazz
- Music and drama
- basic anatomy, nutrition and dance history
Example of a schedule
- Tuesday 16.50-19.20 Body conditioning and ballet class
- Thursday 16.50-19.45 Body conditioning, ballet and Jazz
- Saturday 11.05-18.00 Mentor time, music/ drama, body conditioning, ballet, character, creative
Foundation year 2
Approximately 10 hours training a week focusing on
- Continuation of level 1 ballet training increasing difficulty in exercises
- Muscle memory and strength building
- Pointe work (for girls)
Additional sessions include
- Introduction to contemporary dance
- Music and drama classes
- Continuation of studies in anatomy, nutrition and dance history
Level 3
Between 10-14 hours training a week focusing on
- Increasing the hours and intensity of classical training
- Building technical and physical strength and stamina
- Increasing vocabulary
Additional sessions include
- Music and Drama classes
- Weekly contemporary class
- Weekly Pilates Reformer classes
- RAD Inter Foundation
- Studies in choreography and dance companies
Example of a schedule
- Monday 16.50-19.50 body conditioning and ballet class
- Wednesday 16.45-19.30 body conditioning and ballet class
- Thursday 16.45-19.30 body conditioning and ballet class
- Saturday 10.20-18.00 mentor time, dance studies, drama, Pilates reformer, contemporary and ballet class
Level 4-5/6
Between 10- 30 hrs a week (depending on age, level and academic year) focusing on
- More challenging material
- Full ballet classes in pointe shoes
- Repertoire and supported adage classes- once the individuals are strong enough
Additional sessions will include
- Weekly contemporary class
- Weekly Pilates Reformer classes
- RAD Intermediate
- Separate male and female classes
- Career advice
- Mental preparation and support for the career
Examples schedules
- Monday 16.50-19.50 body conditioning and ballet class
- Tuesday 16.50-19.50 body conditioning, ballet class, jazz class
- Wednesday 16.45- 19.00 body conditioning, contemporary class
- Saturday 10.20-18.00 mentor time, dance studies, Pilates reformer, contemporary and ballet class
or
- Monday 16.50-19.50 body conditioning and ballet class
- Tuesday 16.50-19.50 body conditioning, ballet class
- Thursday 14.00-18.30 ballet class, repertoire, optional RAD Intermediate Class
- Friday 16.45- 19.30 body conditioning, ballet class
- Saturday 10.20-18.00 mentor time, dance studies, Pilates reformer, contemporary and ballet class
Application Process
Entrance is via audition.
Application & audition information
Request more information: contact the Academy on academy@northernballet.com or call 0113 220 8000
