Ages 16-19 Years
A one-week intensive to challenge, inspire, and prepare you—train with expert faculty and discover life inside a professional ballet company.
Dates
- Week 1: Monday 27 July - Friday 31 July 2026
- Week 2: Monday 3 August – Friday 7 August 2026
Students can attend one or two weeks of summer intensive training. Please select your dates on the application form where indicated.
Price
- One week £410
- Two weeks £745
Course Content Highlights
Daily activation and Classical ballet classes followed by enhancement classes including:
- Contemporary
- Pas De Deux
- Variations
- Pilates
- Repertoire
- Men's and women's coaching
- Observe Company class
- Northern Ballet dancers will be guest teaching across the week
Course Content
Northern Ballet’s International Summer Intensive 2026 is an inspiring experience for aspiring vocational-level dancers looking to build strength, confidence, and artistry. Daily technique and enhancement classes are taught by our world-class faculty of former professional dancers, who bring a wealth of performance and teaching experience to the studio.
Training in the same building as Northern Ballet’s professional dancers, gives students a valuable insight into company life and the chance to observe classes and rehearsals. The programme also offers the exciting opportunity to train with Artistic Director and former Royal Ballet Principal Federico Bonelli, as well as a carefully selected special guest teacher each week.
Students will leave feeling inspired, confident, and prepared for the next stage of their training or professional auditions
Application Process
- Applicants must complete the online application form, including uploading required photographs.
- On occasion applicants may be asked to submit a short video as part of their application.
- Places will be offered on a rolling basis through to our closing date.
- If you have any questions about the programme or your application, please get in touch at academy@northernballet.com.
- Closing date for applications is Friday 8 May subject to availability.
Photo Requirements
- Where requested on the application forms, photos should be uploaded.
- Please do not worry if you are unable to photograph in a dance studio, if it isn't possible; a small space at home is also suitable. Photos can be taken on a camera or smartphone.
- Facing the camera – Demi plié in first position, arms in bras bas
- Facing the camera – Tendu á la seconde, arms in second position (either leg)
- Profile to the camera – 1st Arabesque on a straight supporting leg
Week One Special Guest
Dame Darcey Bussell DBE
Darcey Bussell is a former Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet and the most famous British ballerina of her generation. During her nearly twenty years as a Principal she won global renown for her unique combination of having a tall and athletic physique whilst dancing with soft lyricism.
During her career, she performed more than 80 different roles and 17 roles were created for her. Bussell remained with The Royal Ballet for her whole career, but also performed as a guest artist with many leading companies including NYCB, La Scala Theatre Ballet, the Kirov Ballet, Hamburg Ballet and the Australian Ballet. She retired from the Company in June 2007 with a performance of MacMillan's Song of the Earth, broadcast live on BBC Two. As of 2026, Darcey coaches Principal couples at The Royal Ballet and presents the Royal Ballet’s cinema relays.
Darcey is the President of the Royal Academy of Dance, the Chair of Theatre Royal Plymouth, International Patron of Sydney Dance company and patron of numerous other charities. In the New Years honours list of December 2017, Darcey received her Damehood and DBE for services to dance. She is a recipient of honorary doctorates from Oxford University and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and an honorary Fellowship from Arts University Bournemouth. She is a Prix de Lausanne medal winner, the Artiste Laureate at the Royal Ballet School, is a gold medal recipient from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and recipient of the Carl Alan Award for contributions to dance.
Week Two Special Guest
Federico Bonelli
Federico Bonelli became Artistic Director of Northern Ballet in May 2022, before this he was a Principal of The Royal Ballet where he had danced since 2003.
Federico was born in Genoa and grew up in Casale Monferrato, he trained locally and at the Turin Dance Academy. His awards include first prize at the Rieti International Ballet Competition and a Prix de Lausanne scholarship. He joined Zürich Ballet in 1996, promoted to Soloist in 1997. He joined Dutch National Ballet in 1999, promoted to Principal in 2002 before joining The Royal Ballet where he danced and created numerous roles until retiring as a Principal dancer to take up the role at Northern Ballet.
Week Two Special Guest
Hikaru Kobayashi
Hikaru was born in Tokyo, Japan, and was the first Japanese national admitted to the Paris Opera Ballet School. She studied there from 1992 to 1995, then joined the Jeune Ballet de France.
In 1996, she moved to the Zurich Ballet and in 1999 to the Dutch National Ballet. She won the Grand Prix at the International Competition of Vignale Danza in 1998.
In September 2003, Hikaru joined The Royal Ballet as a First Artist, was promoted to Soloist in 2006, and became First Soloist in 2009.
Her repertoire includes principal roles in The Sleeping Beauty (Princess Aurora), La Bayadère (Nikiya and Gamzatti), The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy), Giselle (Giselle and Myrtha), and Swan Lake (Odette and Odile).
Hikaru was a guest principal dancer with The New National Theatre of Tokyo, The Star Dancers Ballet of Tokyo, The Tulsa Ballet in USA, The Cape Town City Ballet in South Africa, and The Bulgarian National Ballet, and participated in numerous international performances and galas.
Accommodation
Our summer intensive is non-residential. For successful applicants we provide a list of suggested hotels and accommodation options in Leeds. We also have a Student Accommodation offer in place at Campus Village Living Burley Road.
The accommodation comprises of 4-6 ensuite bedroom flats with a shared kitchen. It is a 15-20 minute walk to Northern Ballet through the city centre. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during their stay. Price: £48 per person per night.
Photos by Emily Nuttall, photo of Dame Darcey Bussell by Charlotte MacMillan.
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