LBC

The London Ballet Circle has been offered a discount for members to attend the GradPro finals in Birmingham on 19 May. https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/visit-to-finals-of-gradpro-2024

Imminent events on our busy programme in the next few months are: Friday 26/4: - visit to tech/dress rehearsal of IMAGO by Pett|Clausen-Knight, nominated for BEST INDEPENDENT COMPANY at the ucmn* National Dance Awards Tuesday 30/4: 🛜 IN CONVERSATION VIA ZOOM with Ruth Brill, choreographer and AD of London Children’s Ballet Sunday 5/5: - watch RB principal Yasmine Naghdi teaching class and variations in RB studios, arranged by Dance Forward Wednesday 8/5: - annual visit to RB Upper School to watch classes of the graduating students and other year groups Monday 13/5: 🛜 IN CONVERSATION VIA ZOOM with Christopher Marney, AD of the reformed London City Ballet Click below to book, and for full details of these and all other upcoming events: https://www.tlbc.org.uk/pages/upcoming-events

@BalletcoForum Moderators please could I ask a moderator to amend Mr Campbell’s first name to ALEXANDER in the post above. We’ve been informed that he prefers to use the full version of his name. Thanking you in advance.

Our next In Conversation via Zoom is TOMORROW! Royal Ballet first soloist ISABELLA GASPARINI Monday 8 April 2024 7.30pm (UK time, UTC+1) FREE to LBC members. Anyone is welcome to join this talk for £5, or to join the charity for £20 annually. FUTURE In Conversation dates for your diary are: Tuesday 30 April - RUTH BRILL, Artistic Director of London Children’s Ballet Monday 13 May - CHRISTOPHER MARNEY, Artistic Director of London City Ballet Thursday 20 June - ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, new Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance, former principal of The Royal Ballet

A reminder that Darcey Bussell is teaching variations on Sunday 24 March to students aged 13-20 in the Royal Ballet Studios for DANCE FORWARD. The LBC have a handful of spaces to watch available … open to all … full info and booking here Classes start at 9.30am and finish at 1.30pm, and include: - 1.5 hours of Warm-Up Class - 2 hours of solos coached by Darcey

NB have invited LBC members to a rehearsal of this Sketches choreographic project and for a tour of their purpose built facilities in Leeds. More info and booking link here https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/visit-to-northern-ballet-rehearsal-in-Leeds-members-only This will raise extra funds for NB as we donate all the event ticket monies to the host entity. Join us as a member to benefit from access to visits such as these, and to support the dance community. Our in conversations via zoom are included with your membership. Only £20 per annum. https://www.tlbc.org.uk/pages/join

The LBC are delighted to make this award to Northern Ballet. And also delighted that they are celebrating it publicly like this. Full details here https://www.tlbc.org.uk/articles/results-of-the-lbc-choreographic-award-2024

ANNOUNCEMENT Made at the AGM of the LBC, on 11 March 2024 The London Ballet Circle is delighted to announce that Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, has kindly accepted our invitation to be our newest Vice President. Aaron joins our distinguished set of Vice Presidents which include Dame Merle Park DBE, Wayne Eagling, David Nixon OBE, Darius James OBE, Sir David Bintley CBE, Kevin O’Hare CBE, Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Carlos Acosta CBE and Tamara Rojo CBE. We continue to be privileged to have Dame Monica Mason DBE as our current President (she presided over our AGM this week) and also privileged that Sir Peter Wright CBE is our current Patron. The London Ballet Circle was founded in 1946, when the founding Patron was Dame Ninette de Valois OM, CH, DBE. We are very grateful to all our officials for their invaluable and generous support. They enable the Trustees and volunteers of the LBC to provide an enriching experience of the ballet world to our members, which in turn benefits dance students, new choreographies, and other facets of the dance community, with a particular focus on ballet. MORE INFO: https://www.ballet.org.uk/people/aaron-s-watkin/ https://www.tlbc.org.uk

DANCE FORWARD Andrew Ward, former dancer and soloist with RB, Boston Ballet and ENB is running further Sunday ballet courses for vocational students, in the ROH studios, to which balletcoforum members and guests are invited: ▪️on Sunday 24 March, Darcey Bussell will coach 2 hours of solos, following 1.5 hour class taught by Dance Forward staff Book for Sunday with Darcey ▪️on Sunday 5 May, Yasmine Naghdi will teach class and variations for 3.5 hours Book for Sunday with Yasmine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IN CONVERSATION EVENTS Do keep an eye on our events page for upcoming in conversation events with these interesting participants in the ballet world: ▪️Members will have a special in conversation interview with CASPAR LENCH, exciting young artist of the Royal Ballet following on from the LONDON BALLET CIRCLE AGM on Monday 11 March (via Zoom) ▪️ISABELLA GASPARINI, first soloist of RB, is in conversation on Monday 8 April (via Zoom) ▪️RUTH BRILL, AD of London Children’s Ballet, is in conversation on Tuesday 30 April (via Zoom) ▪️CHRISTOPHER MARNEY, AD of the reformed London City Ballet, is in conversation on Monday 13 May (via Zoom)

There are still places available on the imminent visit to LONDON VOCATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL on Wednesday 6th March. All are welcome! Click to book … https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/visit-to-london-vocational-ballet-school

On Wednesday 6 March 2024, the London Ballet Circle have arranged a visit to the London Vocational Ballet School in Shepherds Bush, which was founded by Anna du Boisson. The current director is Gavin McCaig, formerly with Northern Ballet. Alumni of LVBS include Julia Conway, first soloist with ENB and Nadia Mullova-Barley, first artist with RB. Schedule of the visit: 10.00 Welcome with the Directors and Tour 10.30 Graduate Class 12.15 Q&A with students 12.30 End of visit This visit is open to LBC members, guests and non-members. Book here: https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/visit-to-london-vocational-ballet-school The school website https://www.londonvocationalballetschool.com/

On Wednesday 6 March 2024, we have a visit to the London Vocational Ballet School in Shepherds Bush, which was founded by Anna du Boisson. The current director is Gavin McCaig, formerly with Northern Ballet. Alumni of LVBS include Julia Conway, first soloist with ENB and Nadia Mullova-Barley, first artist with RB. Schedule of the visit: 10.00 Welcome with the Directors and Tour 10.30 Graduate Class 12.15 Q&A with students 12.30 End of visit This visit is open to members, guests and non-members. Book here: https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/visit-to-london-vocational-ballet-school The school website https://www.londonvocationalballetschool.com/

Prix de Lausanne 2024 is over, now it’s GradPro 2024! Essentially a similar format but for those who’ve finished or are finishing their training and haven’t yet got jobs, so 18-19 year olds typically. This is the last chance to book to watch the candidates in class and performing their solos, at the London regional - Clore Studio at the ROH - Sunday 11 February 2024 - 1600-1800 An audience is invaluable! The esteemed jury in London is Brenda Last OBE and Stephen Wicks, both former RB dancers, plus current first soloist Isabella Gasparini. Book here … open to both members and non-members. https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/Visit-to-GradPRO-London-Regional read more about GradPro here https://www.instagram.com/p/C2FuYDnIlvX/?igsh=MXU2N25hYndkbXN2bQ== Over £5000 of award money A week working with the Royal Ballet Company A week working with Birmingham Royal Ballet A week on tour with Northern Ballet Four regionals with 12 regional judges Seven incredible Artistic Mentors A final with six expert judges. Two wonderful faculty Four amazing pianists Julie, Brandon, Louise & Laura https://www.gradpro.co.uk/

Prix de Lausanne 2024 is over, now it’s GradPro 2024! Essentially a similar format but for those who’ve finished or are finishing their training and haven’t yet got jobs, so 18-19 year olds typically. This is the last chance to book to watch the candidates in class and performing their solos, at the London regional - Clore Studio at the ROH - Sunday 11 February 2024 - 1600-1800 An audience is invaluable! The esteemed jury in London is Brenda Last OBE and Stephen Wicks, both former RB dancers, plus current first soloist Isabella Gasparini. Book here … open to both members and non-members. https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/Visit-to-GradPRO-London-Regional read more about GradPro here https://www.instagram.com/p/C2FuYDnIlvX/?igsh=MXU2N25hYndkbXN2bQ== Over £5000 of award money A week working with the Royal Ballet Company A week working with Birmingham Royal Ballet A week on tour with Northern Ballet Four regionals with 12 regional judges Seven incredible Artistic Mentors A final with six expert judges. Two wonderful faculty Four amazing pianists Julie, Brandon, Louise & Laura https://www.gradpro.co.uk/

Prix de Lausanne 2024 is over, now it’s GradPro 2024!, Last chance to book to watch these graduates in class and performing their solos, at the London regional in ROH. An audience is invaluable! Book here … open to both members and non-members. https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/Visit-to-GradPRO-London-Regional read more about GradPro here https://www.instagram.com/p/C2FuYDnIlvX/?igsh=MXU2N25hYndkbXN2bQ== Over £5000 of award money A week working with the Royal Ballet Company A week working with Birmingham Royal Ballet A week on tour with Northern Ballet Four regionals with 12 regional judges Seven incredible Artistic Mentors A final with six expert judges. Two wonderful faculty Four amazing pianists Me, Brandon, Louise & Laura https://www.gradpro.co.uk/

Chance to watch the London regional event of GradPro 2024 at the Clore studio of the Royal Opera House. Sunday 11 February, 1600-1800 Judges are former Royal Ballet dancers Brenda Last OBE and Stephen Wicks, and current RB first soloist Isabella Gasparini. Audience will see the graduate candidates in class and performing solos. book here https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/Visit-to-GradPRO-London-Regional

Our next two events are open to anyone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First, is the opportunity to watch the GRADPRO regional event in London held at the Clore Studio in ROH. Graduating students in class and performing solos, in the presence of jury consisting of Brenda Last OBE, Stephen Wicks and Isabella Gasparini. All Royal Ballet dancers, past and present! Sunday 11 February, 4-6pm Book here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Second, is an In Conversation talk via Zoom with JAVIER TORRES, Managing Director for the Carlos Acosta Dance Foundation and the new Acosta Dance Centre in Woolwich. Javier was premier dancer with the Cuban National Ballet and principal with Northern Ballet until 2022. Tuesday 13 February, 7pm Our zoom talks are free to members, others are welcome to book here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do check our EVENTS page for exciting upcoming events after these for which booking opens on 1st February: ▪️16 February : Visit to Ballet Black rehearsal of work by Mthuthuzeli November (Members only) ▪️6 March : Visit to London Vocational Ballet School (open to all) ▪️11 March : Our AGM, plus In Conversation with Caspar Lench (Zoom, for members only) ▪️18 March : Visit to Acosta Dance Centre (Members only, initially) And there is more beyond !!

A reminder of our next ZOOM event tonight! Dance educator and former RB dancer JULIE BOWERS will be in conversation with Zurich / BRB principal BRANDON LAWRENCE Tuesday 16 January 2024 7pm Julie and Brandon are the co-directors and creators of the GRADPRO programme for graduating students, which they have extended this year to include week long work experience with RB, BRB and Northern Ballet. Julie is also the CEO of bbodance. This zoom is free to LBC members. all others can book to join here: https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/in-conversation-with-julie-bowers-via-zoom

A reminder of our next ZOOM event tonight! Dance educator and former RB dancer JULIE BOWERS will be in conversation with Zurich / BRB principal BRANDON LAWRENCE Tuesday 16 January 2024 7pm Julie and Brandon are the co-directors and creators of the GRADPRO programme for graduating students, which they have extended this year to include week long work experience with RB, BRB and Northern Ballet. Julie is also the CEO of bbodance. This zoom is free to LBC members. all others can book to join here: https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/in-conversation-with-julie-bowers-via-zoom

A reminder of the London Ballet Circle interview with Alina Cojocaru tomorrow. Tuesday 9 January 2024 7pm (UK time) She has proposed a new interviewer … Daniel Pratt who is a first soloist at Sarasota Ballet, and a dance writer for Bachtrack, Seeing Dance and others. Our zoom interviews are free to members. Tickets for non-members can be booked here https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/in-conversation-with-Alina-Cojocaru-via-zoom Or consider joining for £20 a year and get access to our 12+ zooms a year plus other events!

A reminder of the London Ballet Circle interview with Alina tomorrow. Tuesday 9 January 2024 7pm (UK time) She has proposed a new interviewer … Daniel Pratt who is a first soloist at Sarasota Ballet, and a dance writer for Bachtrack, Seeing Dance and others. Our zoom interviews are free to members. Tickets for non-members can be booked here https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/in-conversation-with-Alina-Cojocaru-via-zoom Or consider joining for £20 a year and get access to our 12+ zooms a year plus other events!

There are now a handful of places available for the ENB School rehearsal of their interesting programme on Wednesday this week. Due to train strikes. Sigh. Maybe tube based forum members would like to book for some last minute entertainment away from the cold drizzly weather ! All are welcome at the in-person conversation with Laurretta Summerscales in a week’s time … at the large studio of the RB Upper School. booking link as above.

Upcoming LBC events which are open to members and non-members: Watch ENB School final rehearsal of their Winter Showcase Wednesday 6 December, 2-4pm Programme incudes: - Peasant Pas de Six in Act 1 from Sir Peter Wright’s BRB production of Giselle - Raymonda Pas de Quatre - The Waltz in Act 1 of Giselle - Contemporary performances and a variety of solo variations from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and many more. In conversation with LAURRETTA SUMMERSCALES Monday 11 December, 7.30pm at RB Upper School Interviewed by dance writer Deborah Weiss 🎄 Laurretta will be guesting in ENB’s Nutcracker at the London Coliseum on 20, 22 and 24 December partnered by Lorenzo Trossello Click here to book

Our next ‘in-conversation’ via zoom is with DARIA KLIMENTOVA Wednesday 8 November 2023 7pm https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/in-conversation-with-Daria-Klimentova-via-zoom The talk is free to members. Non-members can book for £5 through the link above. All are welcome!

Members of the LBC have received a wonderful invitation from Andrew Ward of DANCE FORWARD to watch Royal Ballet principal ballerinas giving class and coaching variations to students from UK and abroad. These are taking place in the ROH ballet studios and will be taught by: - Yasmine Naghdi on 29 October - Fumi Kaneko & Roberta Marquez on 12 November - Darcey Bussell on 3 December There are a handful of places available, though you will have to be a member to book. Tickets cost £20 for each date. See all our events here … https://www.tlbc.org.uk/pages/upcoming-events If you haven’t yet joined, membership costs £20 for the year which includes all our Zoom only talks, plus access to our special in-person talks and exclusive invitations such as the one above.