Central School of Ballet

This Saturday we had our annual Associate work sharing day - a chance for friends and family to watch our Associates perform, but also a celebration of our final year Associates!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in September. 🩰

Introducing our 2026 MA Choreography cohort...

Find out more about Yeji, Ruaidhrí and Joseph on our News page at centralschoolofballet.co.uk

Yeji Kim
Headshot by Philipp Morozove
Photo by Hu Yifan and Yan Zi

Ruaidhrí Maguire
Headshot and photo by Elly Welford

Joseph Powell-Main
Headhot by Sian Trenberth
Photo by Creative Studio

Yesterday, Lord Peter John of Southwark accompanied the Minister for Skills, Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, to our Countess of Wessex studios. This was an opportunity for Central to share what a world-class vocational Higher Education training entails and to have an engaged discussion about what is needed to ensure that young dancers and the UK dance industry continue to thrive. Our thanks to the Minister and Lord John for their time.

Photos by Lauren Hewett

You are invited! ✉️

Join us at our Summer Showcases on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July at 7:30pm. A mix of classical ballet, contemporary and jazz works will be performed by Central’s degree course students at the Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music. The evening also includes new works by our current MA Choreography cohort.

To book tickets, head to the Central School of Ballet website.

Photo by Drew Forysth

Applications are officially open for our MA in Choreography. Designed for professional choreographers who wish to develop their choreographic profile and professional skills, the course is four terms, commencing in January 2027.

Recent cohorts have included choreographers such as Cameron McMillan, Daniel Davidson, Kai Tomioka, Katya Bourvis, Mikaela Polley, Kristen McNally, and George Liang.

To find out more visit https://www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk/degree-courses/ma-choreography/

Photo by Drew Forsyth
F/22 Blur choreographed by George Liang
Dancers: Haruka Kawamura, Michael Hawkins

Our final 2026 Ballet Central performances are fast approaching!

There are still tickets remaining for Ballet Central at Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July at 7:30pm.

Celebrate our graduating students as they complete their final performances, before heading off around the world to begin forging their careers.

Not one to be missed... book your tickets now by visiting balletcentral.co.uk/book-tickets/

Photography by ASH

What are people saying about Ballet Central 2026? Swipe for comments we've received so far this tour...

There is still time to see this year's programme! Join us in Guildford (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, 18 June), Bury St Edmunds (Theatre Royal, 24 June), Tonbridge (EM Forster Theatre, 2 July) and London (Britten Theatre, 15 & 16 July).

Book your tickets now at balletcentral.co.uk/book-tickets/

Photography by ASH

We were very sad to learn of the passing of Sara Matthews, who played a key role in the development of Central School of Ballet.

After a career as a renowned contemporary dancer, Sara worked with us from 1998 as Head of Dance, then from 2002 as Assistant Director, and then became Director in 2009. At the sad news of her death, we have received many tributes – highlighting the strength of her work and her gentle, kind, calm demeanour.

Sara was a highly capable member of the School in each of her roles. She skilfully combined both respect for and the nurturing of the School’s background and traditions, with a commitment to broadening training and repertoire with enhanced employment opportunities for the students. She will be remembered by us as an amazing dynamic person who made a fantastic contribution to Central School of Ballet and whose work and choreography for Ballet Central was a mainstay of the shows.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very sad time.