Modern Ballet

Applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.

This Modern Ballet programme is delivered through the Junior Conservatoire of Dance and has been specially designed for young dancers who aspire to study dance full-time and progress to a career as a professional dancer. The programme is designed in partnership with Scottish Ballet and has strong links with the Scottish Ballet Associate programme.

This is an intensive training programme which is taught over two nights per week at the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks. We expect students to be committed to their learning and development and to demonstrate a passion for, and love of, dance.

We are also able to offer Modern Ballet classes at our satellite centre in Edinburgh on Monday evenings (Dalkeith Palace, Edinburgh). Click here if you would like to apply for Edinburgh training.

You will also benefit from learning within a conservatoire environment and have the opportunity to take part in Bridge Week, an interdisciplinary celebration where students from across the Junior Conservatoire come together to devise and perform new work within one of the Royal Conservatoire’s professional venues.

By studying on this Juniors Modern Ballet programme, you will:

• work with students from other disciplines, including the Junior Conservatoire Music and Drama programmes
• focus on your classical technique and develop strength in pointe work and virtuosity
• take part in performing opportunities including end of term sharings and Bridge Week

Entry to the programme is by audition only and we accept a small number of students each year into the programme to allow us to focus our teaching on each individual’s development.

The programme runs from August to June each year, and there are four levels of study available depending on your ability and experience. Many students join us at level 1 and progress through the levels to graduate from the Junior Conservatoire, having completed the full four years of study.

All students will be auditioned whether this is part of a round of scheduled auditions, an audition as part of a summer programme, or at the beginning of term.

Late applications will be at the discretion of RCS Junior Conservatoire on a case by case basis and will follow the same process of assessment.

Applicants will also have the opportunity to be part of the Young Ballet Company. The company has a performance and ensemble focus with students having the opportunity to explore repertoire and choreography to complement the weekly technique classes.

The Young Ballet Company meet every Sunday in the term from 10.30am – 3.30pm at Wallace Studios.

Open Day 2023!

We’d love for you to join us for our open evening on Thursday the 4th of May 2023.

Contact us

Please contact us by email at juniorsdance@rcs.ac.uk if you have any questions. We would be happy to help.

As a dance student in the Junior Conservatoire, you will have a busy timetable of classes to attend weekly in order to ensure you develop your dance technique at the right pace.

Junior Conservatoire students can expect to:

• work within a specially-designed curriculum to focus on your technique, stamina, musicality and performance classes
• learn strengthening, stretching and conditioning exercises which you are expected to practise at home
• undertake pointe work and virtuosity
• have the opportunity to join the Young Ballet Company (an additional audition may be required)

Students who choose to apply for the Young Ballet Company and also attend the Modern Ballet weekly classes are entitled to receive either a 25% or 50% loyalty discount on their Young Ballet Company fees. Please contact Juniorsdance@rcs.ac.uk to find out more

The Junior Conservatoire Modern Ballet programme is for aspiring dancers who wish to to progress towards full-time, vocational study at higher education level.

• Learn within Scotland’s national conservatoire, recognised as one of the world’s top ten performing arts education institutions (2016-2018 QS World Rankings)
• Train on specifically-designed courses for students working towards full-time vocational training in dance
• Use bespoke, purpose-built dance facilities at the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks
• Develop your performance skills alongside your technique
• Learn in small class sizes, ensuring you receive detailed one-to-one and group ensemble teaching
• Receive termly feedback and tutorials throughout the year

The Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks

Junior Conservatoire Modern Ballet students will train in the Wallace Studios, using the same facilities as the BA Modern Ballet degree students.

The Wallace Studios were purpose-built for our ballet students. There are four large dance studios, each with a piano and playback system, changing rooms and showers.

We want to make the performing arts as accessible as possible.

Anyone who faces financial barriers to participate in the Junior Conservatoire can apply at any time, whether at acceptance to a course or during the course, for a bursary or scholarship.

Please take the time to refer to this bursary and scholarship criteria.

For anyone who requires a bursary or scholarship please email JuniorsDDPF@rcs.ac.uk or Juniorsdance@rcs.ac.uk and you will be sent an application form.

We will try to support as many students as possible to attend the Junior Conservatoire training and therefore may not be able to cover full student fees.

These funds are currently supported by the generosity of individuals and charitable trusts including:

• James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
• Agnes Allan Bursary
• Bill and Margaret Nicol

Entry to the Junior Conservatoire of Dance is by audition only, and progression through the levels is not automatic — students will be assessed each year if they would like to continue with their studies.

Students are expected to be of secondary school age when the course begins. As a guide, we look for the following level of dance experience for each level and age range:

Level 1              S1             Intermediate Foundation (or equivalent)

Level 2             S2             Intermediate Foundation/Intermediate (or equivalent)

Level 3             S3             Intermediate (or equivalent)

Level 4             S4             Advanced Foundation/Advanced 1 (or equivalent)

We look for applicants to show passion for dance and a desire to develop and progress to study on a vocational dance course in the future. If you have any questions about the entry requirements, please get in touch with us at juniorsdance@rcs.ac.uk 

Our audition period will be as follows:

• Junior Conservatoire Modern Ballet auditions — Sunday 28th May 2023.

We will contact you after the closing date with further details as to how to prepare for the audition and your timeslot. Please note we are unable to accommodate rescheduling requests should you be unavailable.

We want your audition to be an enjoyable experience and encourage you to take this opportunity to find out more about the Junior Conservatoire.

The audition process 

Your audition will consist of:

• A group class in front of a panel of RCS lecturers and specialist teachers (no preparation required, compulsory)

The audition class

You will take part in a group ballet class with a panel of tutors observing. For the audition, we recommend you arrive 30 minutes in advance of the start time to ensure you have adequate time to warm up and wear dance practice clothing. Senior ballet students (from age 15/S3) should also bring pointe shoes.

We aim to inform all applicants of our decision within three weeks of the audition.

Above all, remember the panel wants to see you do well and we look forward to meeting you.

We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to apply for the Junior Conservatoire Modern Ballet programme and everyone who applies on time will receive an audition.

When to apply

Application for entry to the Junior Conservatoire Modern Ballet programme in August 2023 will open on the 28th of November 2022.

All applications should be completed online and there is an audition fee of £45. If you need financial support to pay for the audition fee please contact us at juniorsdance@rcs.ac.uk 

Audition dates

All auditions for the Junior Conservatoire Modern Ballet programme will be held on Sunday 28th May 2023.

Question?

If you have any questions about the Junior Conservatoire or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at juniorsdance@rcs.ac.uk

Term Dates 2022/2023

Student induction- 20th August 2022

Term 1- 27 Aug- 16th December 2022 (no sessions from 8-21st October)

Term 2- 7th January- 31st March 2023 (no session 11-17th Feb)

Term 3- 15th April- 16th June 2023

Performance opportunities – TBC

Other potential performances- Bridge Week, Youth Arts Fest, Leavers ceremony

Term Dates (2023/2024)

Term 1

Student induction- Sunday 20th August 2023

Term 1 starts – Saturday 26^th August 2023

Mid term break- 14-27^th October 2023

Term 1 finishes- Friday 15^th December 2023

Term 2 starts- Saturday 6^th January 2024

Mid term break- 10^th-16^th February 2024

Term 2 finishes- Friday 29^th March 2024

Term 3 starts- Saturday 13^th April 2024

Term 3 finishes- Friday 14^th June 2024