Who are the National Youth Ballet (NYB)?   The NYB was founded in 1988 by Jill Tookey MBE to give talented young dancers an opportunity to participate in the creation, production and performance of ballet at a professional level and to encourage children from all walks of life to be become involved with dance through schools and community workshops. How is the NYB funded?   The NYB is funded through tuition fees, performance sales and sponsorship. It does not currently receive any government, arts council nor lottery funding. What does the NYB offer me a young ambitious dancer?   If you are successful in auditioning for a place with the National Youth Ballet you will get involved in all aspects of creating a ballet, from the conception of an idea through to live performance in full costume on stage at a major venue such as the Birmingham Hippodrome, Sadler’s Well, The Royal Opera House and the London Palladium. You will also gain the experience of working with eminent and professional composers, designers and choreographers. Who can apply to join?   Every year the NYB offers places to 100 dancers aged between 8 and 18. To apply you need to complete the application form and attend the audition workshops. All applications must be signed by your current dance teacher. Previous members wishing to rejoin the NYB must audition again. Junior Associate places are offered to children under the age of 12. The main cast dancers are aged between 12 and 18 years, though some dancers under 12 years may also be needed for the main cast. When are the auditions?   The audition workshops start in February/March with final auditions in April/May. They are currently held in London, Birmingham and the South East. What commitments do members make?   All main cast dancers must attend the summer school in August and rehearsals every Sunday in September and October at The English National Ballet School in Chelsea, London. The Junior Associates rehearse in Birmingham every Sunday during September and October. The 2005 Summer School is being held from 19 – 27 August at The Elmhurst School of Dance, Edgbaston, Birmingham. What are the costs of joining the NYB?   The tuition fee for the audition workshops is £25. Summer school (including full board and lodging) and Sunday rehearsals for the main cast cost £550. Junior Associate rehearsals cost £180. All cast members are required to purchase the NYB uniform and provide a new pair of shoes and tights for each role danced at performances. All company members have to provide for their own travel expenses to rehearsals and Summer School, as appropriate. Are there any bursaries and scholarships available?   The NYB has extended scholarship and bursary scheme for 2005 to include: Young Performer’s Scholarships - 5 x £350 These scholarships will be awarded to main cast dancers, between 12 years and 18 years of age on 1st September, 2005 who demonstrate strong technique, musicality and outstanding presentation. Student Scholarships – 5 x £350 These scholarships will be awarded to dance students, over 16 years of age on 1st September, 2005 in full time vocational training, who demonstrate outstanding technique, musicality and presentation. NYB Bursaries – 5 x £350 These bursaries will be awarded to talented dancers auditioning for main cast who, without financial support, could not participate in the NYB Season. Travel Bursaries – 5 x £200 These bursaries will be awarded to dancers of the main cast who, without financial support, could not travel to rehearsals. Sponsors of the 2005 Scholarships & Bursaries currently include: AMD; The Arden Halford School of Dancing; Robin and Jayne Cadbury; and Clarins UK Ltd. When are the next performances?   23 October 2005 The Birmingham Hippodrome 27- 29 October 2005 Sevenoaks Playhouse 30 October 2005 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London All dates and venues to be confirmed. Will NYB help me with a career in performing arts?   Through encouragement and the unique experience that the NYB provides to its young dancers many go on from the NYB to perform professionally. This is not just in the world of ballet but across the full spectrum of the performing arts including dance, stage, TV and radio. To see the full listing of the current Alumni, please visit the Alumni section. Who are the Patrons?   David Bintley CBE, Director, Birmingham Royal Ballet Deborah Bull CBE, Director, Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House Darcey Bussell OBE, Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet Robin Cadbury Anthony Dowson ARAD DDTC, Head of Dance, English National Ballet School Frank Freeman FRAD, International Ballet Examiner & Teacher Stephen Jefferies, Director, Hong Kong Ballet Company Joanna Lumley, OBE, Actor Monica Mason OBE, Director, Royal Ballet Angela Mortimer, Director, Angela Mortimer Recruitment Dame Antoinette Sibley DBE, President, Royal Academy of Dance Wayne Sleep OBE, Dancer, Actor & Choreographer Ronald Spinney CBE, former Chief Executive, Hammersons David Wall CBE, former Chief Executive, English National Ballet Sir Peter Wright CBE, Director Laureate, Birmingham Royal Ballet Who manages the NYB? The NYB is managed by a team of volunteers and commissioned professionals including: Jill Tookey MBE, Founder & Director Marion Pugh, Company Manager Janet Kinson, Assistant Director Neil Thomson, Musical Director Heather Meredith, Company Assistant Jeff Phillips, Technical Director Judith Harris, Ballet Mistress Maria Vasiliou, Ballet Mistress The Board of Directors includes: Jill Tookey MBE Mark Fone ACA Amanda Fone Graham Dodd Malcolm Macfarlane