Experiencing Elmhurst

Sunday October 13^th 2024

Our Experience Days are extremely popular, and tickets sell very quickly for the Elmhurst events that shine a light on a day in the life of the school.

The doors of our Edgbaston home swung open once again earlier in October, and prospective students, their parents, guardians and teachers got a fun and insightful glimpse of what Elmhurst has to offer.

Choosing and attending the right school is an important step in a young dancer’s life. Many of our students live on site and attending Elmhurst means leaving home at a very young age. We want students to feel at home at school, especially when school becomes their second home. For many families, sending a child to Elmhurst will mark the first time a family member has attended a vocational and boarding school, so we hope the Experience Days answer any questions and concerns and put minds at rest that Elmhurst is the right choice for them.

This years’ Experience Day included tours of the school, Q&A sessions about the audition process with current students and staff, and a 90-minute audition experience class led by members of our talented artistic team. These audition experience classes included hints, tips and useful pointers on what it takes to succeed when young people audition to train at Elmhurst.

Our aim is that the Experience Days show that Elmhurst is an enjoyable and safe place to live, dance and learn, and for attendees to experience the specialist training on offer at Elmhurst. The Experience Day, a window into the Elmhurst world, is an opportunity to witness the buzz of the school, the student camaraderie, and the care and attention bestowed on the students by the staff. Many young people who have attended the Experience Days in previous years have gone on to audition and accept a place at the school.

In November, current students in years 10 and 11 will also have a Sixth Form Experience Taster Day, in which they will experience the difference between lower school and sixth form study at Elmhurst. The day will include A-Level taster sessions, a ballet lesson with a sixth form tutor, a repertoire session with Artistic Director Robert Parker, and creative workshops with external choreographer Daniel Davidson. Year 11 students will also receive an introduction to pas de deux and a presentation on the Trinity Diploma. As students may be selected to perform with Birmingham Royal Ballet during their sixth form training, the experience will also include a visit to BRB’s HQ at Birmingham Hippodrome, where they will observe the Company up close in studio rehearsals, receive a tour of the building, and meet key members of the organisation.