Press Release: English National Ballet School announces new partnership with bbodance as it returns to face-to-face training

[Jan McNulty]

PRESS RELEASE  

 

For release 9am Thursday 15 October 2020 

 

English National Ballet School announces new partnership with bbodance as it returns to face-to-face training  

 

ENBS students with Artistic Director, Viviana Durante, and Dame Darcey Bussell, DBE in Espinosa Studio
at bbodance headquarters 

 

English National Ballet School is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with bbodance that will see the School further its reach and delivery of world-class ballet training.  

 

Through this partnership English National Ballet School will present a brand-new series of Ballet Classes for semi-professional dancers and its much-loved Juniors Programme for young children aged 5+ in bbodance’s studios at Battersea Reach. The School’s recently announced Professional Trainee Programme is also being hosted at bbodance having started earlier this month.  

 

This new partnership comes as the School continues its return to face to face teaching which saw staff and students welcomed back to its newly refurbished Covid-secure building on Hortensia Road at the start of the academic year. The School’s return follows five months of remote working that saw classes delivered in 22 countries, 764 videos uploaded to Vimeo, and 748,941 minutes spent on Zoom.  

 

Viviana Durante, Artistic Director of English National Ballet School said; “I am so thrilled to be working in partnership with bbodance to increase our reach and continue to inspire young emerging dancers from around the world. bbodance’s beautiful studios on the River Thames provide the perfect outlet for creativity. It has been wonderful to see recent graduates enter the next stage of their career on our new trainee programme and I look forward to welcoming participants to our new classes there this autumn. 

 

“I am also pleased to begin a new relationship with our neighbours at Chelsea Theatre. Having the additional space to allow for social distancing has been vital in our successful and safe return after working remotely and I couldn’t be happier to see staff and students back in the studios, doing what they do best.”  

 

Julie Bowers, Director of Artistic Development at bbodance said; “I am delighted, along with Viviana, to be part of this very exciting partnership between bbodance and ENBS. Together we will provide the highest calibre of facility, teachers and pianists to reach out, support and give opportunity to Vocational and Semi Professional dancers during these strange and unprecedented times.” 

 

The Professional Trainee Programme gives recent graduates from schools around the world the opportunity to experience the demands of a professional life in dance. This pilot programme will see world renowned artists Deidre Chapman, Ibrahim Onal, Ivan Putrov, Angela Towler and Didy Veldman lead the students alongside Artistic Director Viviana Durante. Through a partnership with Dancers’ Career Development a series of career development workshops and 1:1 personal and career coaching sessions will be delivered to participants. 

 

Offering semi-professional dancers the chance to develop their skills and interest in ballet, a new series of Ballet Classes, presented in partnership by English National Ballet School and bbodance, launch on Saturday 24 October. Held on Saturday’s for an initial eight-week term, classes will be taught by the School’s top-class teaching faculty and accompanied by live piano.  

 

Returning this autumn, the School’s ever popular Juniors Programme launches on Saturday 7 November. Open to all without audition these weekly classes aim to introduce children to the artform providing training in ballet technique, creative exercise, choreography and performance skills within a fun and imaginative atmosphere.  

 

English National Ballet School’s return to face to face training has also seen it develop a new relationship with Chelsea Theatre. This new relationship has allowed the School to increase its space to allow students to attend socially distanced ballet and contemporary dance classes, academic lessons and lectures and healthcare activities across both sites.  

 

Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, English National Ballet School’s planned move to London City Island has been postponed. The School will operate out of its current premises, Chelsea Theatre and bbodance for the 2020/2021 academic year. 

 

-ENDS- 

 

Notes to Editors  

 

 

Listings information  

 

Juniors Programme   

bbodance studios, Battersea Reach  

7 November – 12 December 2020 

From £14.50  

For info and to book see: http://bit.ly/JuniorsProgramme  

 

Ballet Classes presented by English National Ballet School and bbodance 

bbodance studios, Battersea Reach  

24 October 2020 – 12 December 2021 

14.00 – 15.45 & 16.15 – 18.00 

From £20 per class  

Places are strictly limited. For info and to book see: https://bit.ly/2FlSkXz  

 

ENBS Professional Trainee Programme  

Applications for the 2020/2021 have now closed  

For further info see: http://bit.ly/ENBSTrainee  

 

About English National Ballet School  

English National Ballet School prepares the finest young ballet dancers for a lifetime of achievement. Our state-of-the-art facilities are matched by world-class training, education, pastoral care and performance opportunities. We provide our students with the confidence, creativity and skills for a career as a professional dancer with the major international companies, and for a future beyond performing. We aspire to be the school of choice for the next generation of ballet artists and to pioneer the future of dance education. www.enbschool.org.uk  

 

About bbodance  

Founded in 1930 by Edouard Espinosa and formerly known as the British Ballet Organization (BBO), bbodance is an international dance awarding organisation with a large membership in the UK and Australasia. bbodance provides Ofqual-recognised syllabi in Musical Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Modern, and Tap, as well as comprehensive teacher training and inspiring events. bbodance Patrons include Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, former Artistic Director of Rambert, Mark Baldwin OBE, and BRB Principal, Brandon Lawrence, a former bbodance Scholar. For bbodance press information, please e-mail Bobby.