Central is a higher education organisation providing world-class degree level education and training for young people aiming for a professional dance career. Central works to support an increasingly diverse and innovative, internationally recognised culture of dance in the UK.
The Countess of Wessex Studios is a thriving dance hub in the South Bank arts community in London’s Southwark with a local, national and international reputation for producing versatile and highly accomplished dancers while championing broad engagement with the joys of dance.
A schedule of adult classes is available in a range of different dance styles to encourage those in our local community in Southwark and nearby London boroughs to try dance to improve skills, for general fitness and wellbeing.
Central’s Junior School offers ballet classes for children and young people in term time after school and there are half term classes and courses scheduled for different ages and dance interests aiming to provide fun, engagement as well as skills.
An Associate Programme of classes on Saturdays provides specific training for 11-16 year olds who are aiming towards full-time vocational dance training. A Junior Associate Programme takes place 6 times a year for 8-10 year olds.
Central’s touring company Ballet Central stages an annual tour in mid-size theatres across the UK for audiences to experience choreography from leading dance industry influencers and professionals performed by Central’s final year undergraduate students as part of their degree course.
Central’s ethos is based on the premise that talented, dedicated young people should have access to the highest quality of training, whatever their economic, social or cultural background. The school is committed to addressing issues of under-representation in ballet and Higher Education as a whole. This is achieved by identifying and targeting prospective, talented students from groups that are currently under-represented, particularly students from low-income backgrounds, from postcodes where participation in Higher Education is low and from those of global majority heritage.
Central recognises that some individuals and communities in our society face obstacles and experience unfair disadvantage. We are committed to finding ways to address these barriers where we can. Applications to Central’s Higher Education courses are especially encouraged from individuals with the talent, potential and dedication to develop the skills required for a professional career in dance regardless of their background.
Central School of Ballet offers a distinctive world class vocational training to young dancers, ensuring they thrive in careers in the Arts. The...
