Press Release: English National Ballet School - PRESS RELEASE Royal Patronage & Summer Performances June 2015

[Jan McNulty]

English National Ballet School - Royal Patronage and Summer Performances

 

 

English National Ballet School is delighted to announce the patronage of HRH Princess Beatrice of York. 

 

The School is a world renowned specialist training centre for aspiring and highly talented young ballet dancers aged 16 to 19 based in central London.

Her Royal Highness paid a private visit to the School last month. She watched first year students being put through their paces in class and chatted with students at length about their training and aspirations.

 

Co-Director Anu Giri said, “It is a great honour for the School that Her Royal Highness has chosen to become our patron. The essence of our mission is to ensure talented young dancers from all over the world have the opportunity to train with us regardless of their ability to pay.  With the Princess’ support we can secure much needed funds to subsidise tuition fees and provide scholarships for the students who need greater financial support’ 

 

These talented young dancers will be showcasing their skills at the School’s annual Summer Performances at the New Wimbledon Theatre in July. The programme features a blend of classical and contemporary works with choreography to highlight the versatility and breadth of our dancers.

 

The programme will include four new commissions by Ricardo Amarante (ENBS graduate, Choroegrapher and former soloist with the Royal Ballet of Flanders), Jose Agudo (Akram Khan Dancer and Choreographic Assistant), Petal Miller-Ashmole (former Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet Principal), Renato Paroni(international choreographer and guest teacher) and culminating with Evening Songs by the highly acclaimed international choreographer Jiri Kylian.

 

Samira Saidi, Director of Dance at English National Ballet School “Our Summer Performances 2015 is one of creativity and inspiration. A wealth of exciting commissions, plus the inclusion of Jiri Kylian’s ‘Evening Songs’  have allowed our students to further develop their extraordinary versatility, hone their classicism, explore their strengths and challenge their minds. I look forward to sharing their talent with you”.

 

New Wimbledon Theatre

Friday 3 July 7.30pm PRESS NIGHT

Saturday 4 July 1pm & 7.30pm

www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

0844 8717 646

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

English National Ballet School, official school of English National Ballet

 

·         Ricardo Amarante’s Burning Desire is a piece inspired by tango rhythms with a Latin American flavour for our 3^rdyear students

·         Renato Peroni’s Extra-Vinsky explores Stravinsky’s concerto for piano and wind instruments again for our 3rd years

·         Jose Agudo’s reworking of KI, originally a solo he created for himself, to be danced by just men, creating an ensemble piece paying homage to the life of Genghis Kahn. Agudo’s work with Akram Khan has helped to influence his unique style, resulting in a powerful and moving dance piece demonstrating the strength of our graduating men

·         Petal Miller Ashmole’s École Classique, a ‘white’ classical ballet, showcasing our 1^st and 2^nd year students classism. Traditional costumes of both short and long tutu’s enhance the purity and classical style of this very charming work

·         Jiri Kylian’s Evening Songs. We were delighted and honoured to welcome into school Jeanne Solan, repetiteur of Jiri Kylian. One of the most striking aspects of Kylian’s work is its subtlety and refinement, allowing an opportunity for the audience and for our aspirant 1^st year students, to immerse themselves in the aesthetic of one of the world's finest dance makers.

·         George Williamson’s Trice as well as the three winning choreographies created by our students for our annual choreographic competition.

·         A solo piece created by Kristen McNally for the Grand Final of the  BBC Young Dancer for our  3^rd year student, Archie Sullivan, will also  be performed

 

·         We are the official School of English National Ballet with one third of the Company’s dancers having graduated from the School

·         We offer a 3 year diploma in Professional dance accredited by Trinity College, London

·         Our current student body of eighty comprises students from 18 countries including the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Italy and the USA

·         55% of our current first year students are home grown British talent

·         We audition over 300 young dancers each year from all over the world and award places purely on talent

·         We are the only Dance specialist DaDA (Dance and Drama Award) school to consistently achieve Outstanding from OFSTED since inspections began in 2002 and we maintain a strong employment record