Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 9/25/2009

Question
Ok so I'm 15 (16 in December) and I am thinking of applying to English National Ballet School, Central School Of Ballet, Rambert School of Dance, Royal Ballet School and Scottish Ballet at RSAMD.

I am not sure of the level of dance they look for and what do they focus on - is it what exams you passed? Is it tecnique? Or is it artistic qualities like expression, natural musicality etc. ?

I started dancing at 2 and did ballet up to grade 1 and got highly commended,(I was 6). Then as well as ballet I did modern. When I was 10 and due to begin pointe work, my teacher retired and none of the other teachers were qualified for teaching ballet, so I carried on with modern. In April my ballet teacher's sister came to teach ballet 4 nights per week, she said to me that I had still kept my good turnout and placement and my feet were fairly strong. She also said I should have been en pointe years ago. So I immediately began strengthening my feet for pointe and I am getting my pointe shoes soon (within a month or so). She also said that I was a natural dancer and that I picked things up very fast.

Sadly this ballet teacher is also leaving. But I am looking for another place to do ballet, I really love ballet and have wanted to be a professional ever since my first exam, do I stand a chance? I want to work hard, harder than I have ever worked before.

Also, do you have to start at 16? can I wait a year and go at 17?

Answer
Hello Ashleye.

I recommend that you audition for any or all of the ballet schools you mentioned as soon as you can.

They will look for talent, physical ability, and also determine if you have to "unlearn" previously taught technical habits from your former training.

Start with finding out the audition requirements - as in preparing a solo, or sending a DVD of you dancing if they wish to pre-view you before accepting you at an audition.

Don't wait. The younger you are, the better.

All the best! Dianne