Summer Spotlight On School Talent

For 21 years, our annual summer show has been a highlight of the school calendar here in Birmingham. This year's performances of Voices & Virtues were exceptionally popular, with many shows selling out. The event showcased the diverse talents of our students from the Lower and Upper Schools, Elmhurst Ballet Company, and the Elmhurst Young Dancers’ Programme. 

In July, students collaborated with artistic staff and guests to bring the performances of Voices & Virtues to the Elmhurst Studio Theatre stage. Each year, rehearsals intensify during the last month of the summer term, making it a monumental task to present the shows alongside numerous other Elmhurst events, as well as dance and academic exams at the end of the school year. 

The summer performances were divided into Whole School, Upper School, and Lower School shows. These events provided fantastic opportunities for students, from gaining experience in collaborative work and honing performance skills, to learning and retainingnumerous dance steps. Students also had the chance to work with guest artists and choreographers, endure long days and evenings for technical and dress rehearsals, build stamina and fitness levels, and tackle quick costume changes. There truly is another show going on backstage! 

With gratitude to both established and emerging choreographers, students had the opportunity to experience a remarkable array of dance, choreographic, and creative styles in Voices & Virtues. Continuing Elmhurst Ballet School’s legacy of classical ballet excellence, the programme featured excerpts from Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s enchanting Swan Lake, performed by Year 13 students. Additionally, there were new ballet pieces crafted by two former Elmhurst students: Rosie Price for Years 7 and 8, and current Birmingham Royal Ballet artist Olivia Chang-Clarke for Year 9. 

To further celebrate the special relationship between Birmingham Royal Ballet and Elmhurst Ballet School, BRB Principal dancer Lachlan Monaghan collaborated with Years 12 and 13 students to create a new work. Year 13 students worked with Cuban choreographer Miguel Altunaga, who made a welcome return to Elmhurst following the success of last year’s City of a Thousand Trades. And former Rambert Dance Company dancer and current Associate Choreographer for Ballet Black, Jacob Wye, worked with Year 11 students to create a new contemporary piece. 

For the first time, commercial dance was showcased in Elmhurst Ballet School’s summer shows. Choreographer Rachel Hunt, known for her modern and fresh approach, collaborated with year 8 students on a piece titled Welcome to Hollywood! Additionally, the contemporary piece A Line That We Crossed returned to the stage after receiving acclaim in Birmingham and London earlier this year. This piece, performed by Elmhurst Ballet Company, was choreographed by graduate year students Tom Wood and Spike Frobisher. 

Elmhurst Ballet Company also performed Paper Plane, created by Jessica Wright, an artist from Company Wayne McGregor. This performance marked the seventh project between Elmhurst and Studio Wayne McGregor, a relationship that allows students to delve into the award-winning company’s innovative choreography and creative process. 

The Elmhurst artistic team, including Mary Walsh, Cris Penfold, Sonia Fajardo, Gloria Grigolato, Lee Robinson, Indra Reinhold, and Hannah Rudd, also crafted an array of dance pieces for Voices & Virtues. 

As Elmhurst Ballet School’s 2025 season drew to a close, the Whole School performances culminated in the joyous Grand Défilé, uniting all 190 students on stage. Literally translated as the ‘Big Parade’,it never fails to bring smiles to the entire audience, often accompanied by a few joyful tears from parents and friends. 

Our heartfelt congratulations go to everyone who tirelessly contributed to the entertaining and highly successfulVoices & Virtues – a series of shows that will be fondly remembered as we look forward to the school’s bright future!