English National Ballet School is a specialist
classical ballet
Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, ...
school based in
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. The School was founded in 1988 by Peter Schaufuss as the official school of
English National Ballet. The School's current artistic director is Lynne Charles.
Overview
English National Ballet School is a specialist training centre for young ballet dancers aged 16 to 19. Many graduates become dancers with English National Ballet as well as with other international ballet companies.
History
The School was founded in 1988 by then director Peter Schaufuss of English National Ballet as a feeder school for the company. It began with just 12 students, sharing premises with the company. The School grew rapidly, and in 1995
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales (born Diana Frances Spencer; 1 July 1961 – 31 August 1997), was a member of the British royal family. She was the first wife of Charles III (then Prince of Wales) and mother of Princes William, ...
opened its new premises in Chelsea, enabling it to train many more dancers.
Today the School exists as a separate entity but maintains strong links with its parent company, around a third of whose dancers are graduates of the School. Students perform in ENB's touring productions of My First Ballet as well as in the company's main stage productions and those of other leading UK companies. The School's own performances are widely noted, with Dance Europe describing the Winter 2019 performance as 'a terrific show...both entertaining and thoughtful.'
English National Ballet School has an associate programme, ENBS Juniors, for girls and boys aged 3 and up. In 2020, the School initiated a Graduate Trainee Programme as a response to the global pandemic.
Notable alumni
*Ruth Brill, choreographer and first artist with
Birmingham Royal Ballet
*Constance Devernay, principal dancer with
Scottish Ballet
*
Hope Muir, artistic director of
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is a Canadian ballet company that was founded in 1951 in Toronto, Ontario, with Celia Franca, the first artistic director. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led since 2022 ...
, Former artistic director of
Charlotte Ballet
*
Nancy Osbaldeston, principal dancer with
Royal Ballet of Flanders
*
Laurretta Summerscales, principal dancer with Bavarian State Ballet
*
Erina Takahashi, lead principal dancer with
English National Ballet
Notable teachers
*David Yow
*Senri Kou
*Michael Berkin
*Juan Eymar
*Şebnem Önal
*Nicola Simpson
*Amanda Armstrong
*Giovanni Luca Braccia
References
{{Authority control
English National Ballet
Ballet schools in the United Kingdom
Ballet in London
Educational institutions established in 1988
1988 establishments in England