Since 2019 I have been invited as a regular teacher to the Cecchetti Ballet Associates Scheme and given classes in classical ballet and character to all the age groups.  Last year I was delighted to be asked to teach at the Cecchetti Summer School for children organised by the Associate Committee.  The friendly and welcoming environment was managed with far-sighted organisation and professionalism, and literally around-the-clock by the Associates' team who were based on site.

 

It was the most enjoyable summer school I have been invited to teach at and all the more rewarding because I could see how much the students benefited from a week of dancing every day and to have the opportunity to perform onstage in a real theatre.

 

For children who are not vocationally oriented but who love their ballet classes, we all know the Associates' scheme provide more opportunities to dance with like-minded students and make friends.  Their confidence grows in all areas and I am always delighted by the exponential progress they make in their regular ballet classes after attending Associates even for just one year.

 

In the more intense and weeklong programme that was Summer School, the results were that the dancers at my ballet school who had attended, returned to classes in September with renewed enthusiasm, determination and increased capability for learning.

 

These are the main reasons why I fully support and commit to sending my dancers to audition for the Cecchetti Associates scheme and why I was very happy to be asked to teach at their Children's Summer School this summer past.

 

One other very important aspect of summer school was the pastoral care.  The children were looked after so well. I was really impressed. This pastoral care was one of the aspects that struck me as being particularly valuable and unique about the whole week.

 

In summary, not only was the location magnifcent and with a purpose-built theatre on-site, the classes being perfectly tailored to the expectations and abilities of the students, but also the time not spent dancing was fun, positive and managed by a team who were completely dedicated to looking after them. 

 

Having spoken recently to a friend and colleague in Sweden she would like to send two of her younger students to the summer school in 2025. We had students from far and wide including  Brecon and Southern Ireland attending in 2024 and many students experienced their first stay away from home and were so well looked after, making friends and memories to treasure

 

Julie Cronshaw  RBS Dip. TTC (FISTD) CDE  Principal/Director Highgate Ballet School