Students from Adagio School of Dance had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with English National Ballet: Ballet Futures Pipeline Project. We performed The nutcracker with English National Ballet over Christmas 2024 in Southampton and London.
"Where do we start? Thank you so much for the incredible opportunity. Bethany and Thomas have had the absolute time of their lives!
We all feel so lucky to have been part of something so special. We really do appeciate all the time, effort and hardwork that has gone into making this possible."
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"Adagio School of Dance is now firmly on the map as one of the leading Ballet/Dance Schools in the County of Essex and beyond!"
"Thank you so much for being such an incredible inspiration to all school Directors/Pricipals and Ballet Teachers, throughout the UK.​"​
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"You have helped change these children's lives aand blessed them with experiences that will be with them for life."
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"You were so instrumental in spreading this opportunity as far as it could possibly go, whereby creating an abundance of magical opportunities for so many young people."​​​​​
Towards a more diverse and inclusive future in classical dance.
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Ballet Futures: The Pipeline Project (to give it its full name) was launched in 2022 to help address the lack of diversity within the classical ballet landscape. "Our aim is to seek out dancers from backgrounds underrepresented in balliet (such as African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and Southeast Asian heritage) who possess the qualities to succeed in this artform, and support them through their training" explains Michelle Ballentyne, the Project Lead for Ballet Futures. After selection by audition, the participants receive two free ballet classes a week, provided by one of five associated schools in England, as well as bursaries for their uniform requirements.
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Being part of Ballet Futures also means the students gain access to special opportunities such as theatre trips, visits to their schools, and experience days, taking them behind the scenes. Today, they meet costume makers who share how a tutu is made; they learn about music with the pianists who play in rehearsals; and of course they get to watch company dancers take ballet class and rehearse. The children's highlight is the moment they get to speak to Company dancers, hear about their training journey and receive advice. "I got to watch professional ballet dancers, and how hard they work", says Mischa, "and it just really inspires me and makes me want to work harder in my lessons".
The day ends with the chance to take part in a ballet and creative class in ENB's state of the art studios, before an informal sharing for their families. "Prior to being with Ballet Futures, we were just going to classes. But the moment she signed up and got in, you could see her begin to take responsibility - of herself, of her bag", says Ayodele Edwards, mother of Eve who has been part of Ballet Futures since 2022.
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"It's matured her in so many ways". Michelle Ballentyne has also noticed this: "I've seen such an increased sense of confidence in our dancers, and a heightened sense of their work ethic." Just a few years since launching, the programme is already seeing successes. This Christmas, we see three of its dancers and two of its alumni, Collins, Eden, Isabella, Nathaniel and Nylah performing roles in English National Ballet's brand-new production of Nutcracker, supported by Ballet Futures associated school, Adagio School of Dance.
This is only the beginning: "we need to see more of our dancers getting into ballet schools, and on stage. One of our biggestledilenges is cre oging the mindsets that are firmly embedded in the culture of classical ballet. Artistic directors. school directors, teachers, audiences - we have all been conditioned, to a certain extent. I think it's important we start to dissolve these mindsets and create new ones*, says
Ballentyne. "Being part of Ballet Futures empowers our young dancers with the knowledge that there is a space for them within our artform", she adds, "and that their role could be one of the driving forces that brings change."
As the day ends, the young dancers reflect on the experience: "memorable, fantastic and really amazing" says Kyhana. "Fun, joyful and inspiring", adds S'riyah. "It's helped me learn that you can be whatever you want to be. Nothing can push you down", says Fallou.
Find out more at ballet.org.uk/ballet-futures
