Courses

When you join the Lower School, you’ll develop your technical, artistic and creative dance skills. You’ll enjoy a dynamic and busy timetable with varying dance styles, all building on the foundations of your daily ballet class.

Lower School is where you’ll lay the ground work for becoming an exceptional dancer. You’ll participate in classes in classical ballet, pointe work (girls), contemporary technique, choreography, jazz, and coaching. Supported adage is introduced in Year 10, as well as strength and conditioning.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your performance skills through our annual summer shows, choreographic and solos competitions, as well as other events at school and in the community.
Join us in Year 7 and, subject to your good health and behaviour, we’ll make a 5-year commitment to your training. You can of course join us at a later stage too.

Throughout your time at Elmhurst, you’ll be assessed regularly. If, at any point, we’re worried about your progress we’ll talk to you and find ways to help you improve.

Applications open in October.

Throughout your three years of Upper School, you’ll perfect your dance skills and we’ll help you prepare for your professional career.

You’ll enjoy diverse and challenging performance and competition opportunities, including the annual summer shows and the solos and choreographic competitions. You might even be selected to work with Birmingham Royal Ballet both at the Birmingham Hippodrome and on tour!

Your dance training includes daily ballet class, contemporary technique, jazz and choreography, which are delivered by our expert dance team and guest artists.

At the same time, you’ll study for your Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance, validated by Trinity College London and because thinking dancers make better dancers, you’ll also study Advanced Level Certificate (‘A’ level) in two academic subjects.

If you join us in Year 13 you can follow the two-year Level 5 Diploma, without the option of academic subjects.

The Diploma includes a module on Professional Dance Studies, designed to help you to prepare for professional life. You’ll cover subjects such as CV writing, creating your own online portfolio and health and safety practice in dance.

Once you’ve passed your Diploma (to date we have 100% pass rate success) you can follow a one-year distance-learning BA hons degree with Middlesex University.

Join us in Year 12 and subject to your good health and behaviour, we’ll make a 3-year commitment to your training. You can of course join us at a later stage too.

Throughout your time at Elmhurst, you’ll be assessed regularly. If, at any point, we’re worried about your progress we’ll talk to you and find ways to help you improve.

Applications open in October.

Our Summer Schools are an opportunity to hone your dance skills during an immersive artistic experience delivered in a state-of-the-art studio setting.

Seniors

Dates: tbc

Juniors

Dates: tbc

Applications are now closed - For any queries, please contact: summerschool@elmhurstdance.co.uk

Do you see your future at Elmhurst Ballet School? Join our Young Dancers Programme (School Years 4 – 6) or our Extended Young Dancers Programme (School Years 7-12) and we will ensure that you are audition-ready for your next steps to becoming a professional ballet dancer. 

For any queries, please contact: youngdancers@elmhurstdance.co.uk

Elmhurst Young Dancers (School Years 4 – 6)

Saturday mornings during term time

Birmingham

Location: Elmhurst Ballet School

• Ballet – 90 minute class

Manchester

Location: Manchester College, City Campus

• Ballet – 90 minute class

Sunderland

Location: MTS Studios, The Fire Station Arts Centre 

• Ballet – 90 minute class

Sunday mornings during term time

Plymouth

Location: Plymouth YMCA

• Ballet – 90 minute class

The Extended Young Dancers Programme (School Years 7 – 12)

Saturday afternoons during term time

Birmingham (only)

Location: Elmhurst Ballet School

• Classical ballet and body conditioning from 12.45 – 2.45pm

Auditions for our Young Dancers Programme are now open. Please see the following audition dates:

Applications to open on 1st December 2025

Closing date 13th February 2025

YD Year 4, 5 & 6 - Sunderland – February 28th

YD Year 4, 5 & 6 - Manchester – 7th March

YD Year 4, 5 & 6 - Birmingham – 14th March

Extended YD Year 7 & 8 - Birmingham – 21st March 

Extended YD Year 9 & above - Birmingham – 21st March 

To discuss the course please contact our Young Dancer Admin Team - youngdancers@elmhurstdance.co.uk