News from Elmhurst Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Summer 2014

Welcome...

It seems like just yesterday that we celebrated the successes of last year and already we are preparing to welcome back the students for yet another great year. The summer period has been a time of great activity for the school, two hugely successful summer schools and the handover of the new boarding accommodation are just two highlights that spring to mind. Left to right, Peter Hawksworth, Robert Parker, Guest of Honour Gillian Lynne, Jessica Ward, Roy Shields; photo: Phil Hitchman On a personal note, this summer also saw my wedding to my long-term partner James Wheeler, hence the change of my name from Ward to work and energies of all staff and students in the creation of these. I feel Wheeler. I shall of course explain this to the students when term starts but very proud that our students show su ch great versatility in their dancing, wanted to share the name change with you. turning their hands to wonderful British choreography such as Ashton’s A Birthday Offering but equally able to get their teeth into challenging Having now completed four years at Elmhurst I continue to be incredibly steps set by William Forsythe in Second Detail ; this is admirable. proud of the students and staff, they are a credit to the school community. At Elmhurst we aim to be consistently outstanding in all that we do – Live, I would like to extend thanks to Birmingham Royal Ballet for continuing to Dance and Learn. It is of paramount importance to us to develop the whole be an inspiration to the students and for their ongoing support; we are person so that Elmhurst students are prepared for professional life beyond truly grateful. the school environment and can face the challenges that come their way. In the last year I have worked closely with the Friends of Elmhurst, and the As we moved towards the 10th anniversary of being a major part of the staff and students are hugely grateful for the additional resources that they Birmingham community, we used the Summer Gala to unveil plans for a provide. I would like to note the hard work of the Chair of the Friends year of celebration that will recognise the history of the school and look to Committee, Siân Scholes, and committee members, who whole-heartedly its future (more details can be found on the website). This is an important support the school. The Solo and Choreographic competitions continue to milestone for the school and the wider community; I know that you will be school highlights and, this year, the Summer Soirée, staged by Year 11 join us in making it a memorable year. student Harry Fulleylove and including Year 8’s production of The Boyfriend, served as our personal thanks to our much-valued friends. Our new Sixth Form accommodation for 47 first- and second-year Sixth Formers has come to life and will be part of our celebrations this coming We said goodbye to a number of staff at the end of the school year, I wish year. The project has been developed over the past two years so it is each and everyone of them every success in the future and thank them for exciting to see it finally come together. We are very grateful to Calthorpe their hard work in the time they have worked at Elmhurst. Estates who purchased the property with the ambition to establish high- I would like to express thanks to Peter Hawksworth who joined us as Vice quality living quarters for Elmhurst students on their Edgbaston Estate. St Principal last September leading the academic and pastoral teams, he has Paul’s Associates, the architects, have worked tirelessly with the school to had a tremendous year in post. I know that the school community are ensure that the scheme is right for Elmhurst students. DBK LLP has extremely fond of him. managed the project brilliantly and Shaylor’s Construction team have turned a very unloved building into a wonderful living environment. This In this newsletter you will see that the artistic team have had an extremely new building is a sign of the school’s success and drive to be first choice busy year, this is down to Robert Parker’s drive and tenacity. The for students for living and training to become ballet dancers. opportunities available to students have increased significantly and we are all very grateful to him for this. Last year the school was ably supported by Archie Sladen, Head Boy, Elsie Allen, Head Girl, Siân Gourlay, Deputy Head Girl, and Jared Hinton, For a variety of reasons, some Year 11 students moved on to pastures new Deputy Head Boy. They have all been on their own personal journeys and I at the end of last year; I wish you all well and hope that you will keep us feel privileged that I have been part of them – the highs and the lows! up to date with how well you are getting on. You are a delightful year Thank you for your dedication to Elmhurst. group and you can be proud to say that your year group instigated the very first Year 11 choreographic project in the autumn term – well done! I We were honoured to welcome Dame Gillian Lynne on Friday 11 July for feel privileged to have known our Graduating year, many of you for the the school’s Awards Ceremony. Dame Gillian offered the students and past four years. I hope that you feel proud of your Elmhurst heritage parents funny and inspirational thoughts reflecting on her own incredible because we are certainly proud of you. career. She told the students that on entering the stage they should ‘disturb the air’ and that versatility and an understanding of theatre in its wider I would like to end by thanking all students, parents, staff, governors and context are essential for developing their careers. Wise words that school supporters; everyone plays a part and as a result the Elmhurst resonated with all of us. community thrives.

Although the summer is the busiest time of year it is also my favourite, Jessica Wheeler, Principal when the students have the opportunity to bring all their talents to the fore www.elmhurstdance.co.uk PAGE 1 of 8 in the summer show. I know you all join with me in appreciating the hard Live, Dance, Learn Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Elite Syncopations , one of the shows in which Elmhurst students A Year in the Life performed; photo: Bill Cooper of Elmhurst… 2013-14 was a wonderful year for the year and given the students of Elmhurst Other performances school with many exciting opportunities many rewarding opportunities to perform In addition to working with Birmingham and new initiatives for the staff and with the company, many in featured roles. Royal Ballet, other exciting opportunities students of Elmhurst. Here are just some Students and pupils across the school for the students to gain valuable stage of the many highlights from the past 12 have appeared in the following time included: months: productions: The Viennese Ball A Viennese Charity Ball held in the nave Sir Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty Enrichment Fridays of Worcester Cathedral and hosted by the (14 Senior students) In response to the Artistic Self-supported chairman of the Worcester Three Choirs Birmingham and on tour – 26 review and feedback from Artistic Festival Sir Michael Perry with music performances Directors, a series of aerobic fitness provided by the Orchestra of the Swan activities were introduced to the school Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker under the leadership of David Curtis. every Friday afternoon. Most of these (5 Junior students; 5 Elmhurst Associates) activities took place at the King Edward’s Birmingham – 26 performances High School for Girls and included Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, Netball David Bintley’s The Prince of the Pagodas and Cardiovascular fitness and circuit (11 Senior students; 3 Junior students; 3 training. Dalcroze Eurythmic sessions Elmhurst Associates) have also been delivered by Bethan Birmingham and on tour – 24 Habron James. The activities have been a performances huge success and the positive impact on David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin the dance training has already been felt. Café ; Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Elite These will continue in the new academic Syncopations; George Balanchine’s year. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1 Senior student; 1 Junior student) Pre-evaluations Sunderland – 3 performances Pre-evaluation classes were conducted for Elmhurst students with Mrs Jayne Cadbury at the Worcester Cathedral Viennese Charity the first time this year for the Year 9 and Split Tour - North Ball 11 year groups in an initiative to evaluate (4 Senior students) the progress of the students in preparation 10 performances for their February appraisals. Following An Evening of Music and Dance the pre-evaluations, interviews with the Split Tour - South Another opportunity for the students of students and their parents/guardians were (4 Senior students) Elmhurst to share the stage with conducted and specific balletic targets 9 performances Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal were set. It was also an opportunity to Ballet Sinfonia in the annual music and Sir Frederick Ashton’s Dante Sonata discuss the students’ various options for dance event held at the Symphony Hall. (1 Senior student) Sixth Form and aspirations for their future Hosted by Deborah Bull, 44 Elmhurst Birmingham – 6 performances careers. The whole process was extremely students performed Scènes de ballet , with successful and feedback from parents was Sir Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée choreography by Michael Ho with music extremely positive. (5 Senior students) by Glazunov. Birmingham and on tour -13 Birmingham Royal Ballet performances performances The association with Birmingham Royal Ballet has strengthened even further this PAGE 2 of 8 Graduate Showcase - The graduates once Awards ceremony again demonstrated their creative talents in the Graduate Showcase. Highlights included performing ‘The Argonauts’ from David Bintley’s production of The Orpheus Suite , several pas de deux from the classical repertoire and the students’ own choreography.

Summer Shows 2014 We are delighted to announce that the run We were delighted to welcome Dame of performances this year were a Gillian Lynne as this year’s guest speaker; Move It / YBDY – For the second year resounding success with wonderful she gave an inspirational and humorous running, Elmhurst had a strong presence feedback from everyone who attended. account of her life and presented the at the Move It dance exposition in The students tackled the Ashton repertoire various awards to the students. Winners Olympia. The Sixth Form students with sheer professionalism and as a result were presented with her autobiography performed a Ballet/Flamenco fusion A Dancer in Wartime . We are indebted to entitled Transito in front of over a Dame Gillian for taking time out of her thousand people. They repeated this the busy schedule to join us at this special following evening during the interval at time. the Young British Dancer of the Year Competition held at the Linbury Theatre, Covent Garden. Sylvie Guillem - An extremely rare opportunity for one of our graduate men to perform in the same evening as the French ballet superstar at Birmingham Hippodrome. Waiting in the wings; photo: Andrew Ross The Quaker Meeting House - Year 8 girls performed a lyrical piece choreographed by Denise Lewin alongside piano students Top, Jessica Ward and Robert Parker with demonstrated a significant improvement Guest of Honour Gillian Lynne; above, taught by one of our resident pianists not only in their technical proficiency but outgoing and incoming Head and Deputy Mikael Pettersson. also in their artistry and stagecraft. The Head Girls and Boys; photos: Phil Hitchman Year 7 students were a phenomenal hit with the audiences in Soda Pop , choreographed by Sarah Moore, who Performances in Japan demonstrated technical and performance In July, Elmhurst students Rosanna Ely, capabilities beyond their years. Other Grace Hume, Mami Hagihara and Maki highlights were Second Detail by William Sekuzu, and Alistair Beattie, Sebastian Forsythe in which the Sixth Form female Held, Paul Oliver, Yujin Muraishi and students performed with intensity and Dean Rushton took part in this year’s dynamic attack and Paul Rooney’s collaboration with the Japan International Benedictus choreographed for the Year 11 Youth Ballet. students which left the audience spellbound and emotional, particularly in The students performed the Grand pas the final performance. We were delighted classique from Act III of Marius Petipa’s by the appearance of former Elmhurst Raymonda and the pas de six from Sir students Melissa Hamilton and Nicol Peter Wright’s Royal Ballet production of Edmonds who delivered a stunning Giselle . We are most grateful to Sir Peter performance of The Two Pigeons pas de for his kind permission to dance his deux for our fundraising Gala choreography. Performance. Once again, the highlight of The students’ blogs and photographs of the show was the final performance of the their adventures in Japan can be seen on Grand Defilé which left both students, the Elmhurst website. Commemorating the 35th anniversary of staff and parents alike reaching for the St. Mary’s Hospice in Birmingham, a 15- handkerchiefs. We wish all our graduate minute performance was given by students and those moving on to pastures Elmhurst and included excerpts from new all the best of luck for the future. William Forsythe’s Second Detail , the Don Quixote pas de deux and Transito. PAGE 3 of 8 Competitions year by Cecchetti USA. Richmond is a Contemporary Award, $1,000 USD In addition to the in-house Solo and lovely and historical city located within a Audience Choice Award. few hours of Washington, DC. Choreographic Competitions which took All competitors will also be eligible to win place in the Elmhurst studio theatre, the Following the successful new initiative to summer intensive scholarships to be students of Elmhurst found success in the offer Cecchetti training to our Sixth Form awarded by representatives of the Genée International Ballet Competition students, each of our four students were following schools/companies : ABT/JKO and the Barbara Geoghegan Cecchetti awarded £1000 sponsorship from the School, Ateneo Danza Italy, Ballet West, International Classical Ballet Awards, and Cecchetti Society at the awards in 2013. Boston Ballet, Canada's National Ballet students will be competing at the The students will be representing the School, Cecchetti Council of America, Cecchetti International Classical Ballet United Kingdom at this competition Connecticut Ballet, Interlochen Performing Competition this summer alongside three other members of the Arts High School, Joffrey Ballet School- ‘Cecchetti Team GB’ from KS Dance and NY, Joffrey Ballet School-San Antonio ENBS. TX, KS Dance, UK, Portland Youth Ballet, Princeton Ballet School, Richmond Ballet, The Cecchetti International Classical Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater. 2014 Competition performances will take place at the Richmond CenterStage. This We wish our students the very best of luck grand theatre has nearly 1,800 and whether or not prizes are won, the comfortable, spacious seats, state-of-the- experience offered to the students will art acoustics and brilliant lighting, enhance their training and give them including new fibre optics that enhance valuable insight into the wider dance the ceiling's sparkling stars! community abroad. Backstage at the Genée Classes will be located at the professional Thank you to Heather Habens for studios of the Richmond Ballet. The coaching the Contemporary solos and Genée International Competition award-winning, state-of-the-art Errol Pickford for coaching the men. The prestigious Genée International Richmond Ballet facility features some of Thank you also to Dancing Boutique who Competition was held in Glasgow at the the finest studios on the east coast, with have generously equipped our students Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. floors especially designed to ensure the with new dance leotards/unitards for the Adjudicators for the final round were safety and well-being of all students. competition classes and to Birmingham Darcey Bussell, Kevin O’Hare and Royal Ballet who have lent the students The competitors will be adjudicated by Christopher Hampson. We were delighted costumes for their solos. Susan Lucas will Susan Jaffe (former principal dancer with that two of our students, Padua Eaton and accompany the group and coach the American Ballet Theatre and now their Maki Sekuzu, progressed to the finals to students throughout the competitions. represent the school. We were even more ballet mistress), Nancy Kilgour FISTD (National Ballet of Canada), Joshua Peugh delighted when Padua was presented with Workshops (Associate choreographer, Bruce Wood the special choreographic award for the Russell Maliphant - The internationally Dance Project Contemporary), Trinette creation of her free solo. acclaimed British choreographer who has Singleton LISTD (former principal dancer worked with companies such as DV8 Joffrey Ballet and Co-artistic director Cecchetti International Classical Physical Theatre, Michael Clark & Repertory Dance Theatre), and Ben Ballet Competition 2014 Company and choreographed for Sylvie Stevenson (former dancer Sadler’s Wells Elmhurst achieved wonderful success at Guillem, Robert Lepage and Balletboyz Royal Ballet, Principal dancer London the Barbara Geoghegan Cecchetti delivered a wonderful workshop for the Festival Ballet, Artistic director Texas International Classical Ballet Awards held Sixth Form students. They were also Ballet Theatre). at the Lillian Baylis Theatre in London and treated to a performance of Russell’s new adjudicated by Dame Monica Mason and The ballet classes will be taught by Evelyn production of Still Current at the Patrick David Bintley. Out of the 47 entries, our Cisneros-Legate (former Prima Ballerina Centre. students were the winners and runners-up San Francisco Ballet, Principal Boston for both the Barbara Geoghegan and Ballet School), Kirk Peterson (former Ballet Fewster Scholarships, and students Master ABT) and contemporary by received two further commendation prizes. Angeline Wolf (former Principal dancer The prize winners have also been selected and associate Artistic Director Jennifer to represent the UK at the 2014 CICB Muller/The Works). Competition this summer. The successful students are Yujin Muraishi, Rosanna Ely, Monetary prize categories will be Grace Hume and Mami Hagihara. determined by Cecchetti USA based on the following suggested categories: $5,000 At the beginning of August, these students USD Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Award, will be boarding planes bound for $2,500 USD Most Promising Dancer Russell Maliphant working with Elmhurst Richmond, Virginia to compete in the Award, $1,500 USD Musicality and students; photo: Roy Smiljanic biannual International Cecchetti Artistic Quality Award, $1,500 USD competition which is to be hosted this PAGE 4 of 8 An Evening with Kelly and Parker - City Ballet, South Africa Iain Mackay Robert Parker and his predecessor David Bintley - Director of Birmingham Jenna Roberts Desmond Kelly taught the iconic final Pas Royal Ballet Tzu-Chao Chou de deux from Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Kevin O’Hare - Director of the Royal James Barton Two Pigeons . The lucky recipients of this Ballet William Bracewell expert tuition were Corinne Cox and Paul Murray and Nancy Kilgour - Artistic Jade Heusen Oliver who were guided through the Directors of Alberta Ballet School, USA. Anna Monleon sequences of tricky partnering and subtle Murray delivered a Cecchetti style ballet Laura Day detail and received humorous anecdotes class to our Sixth Form students in And former Birmingham Royal Ballet about working with live pigeons. preparation for the international dancers Silvia Jimenez and Andrea Lord of the Flies - Team members from the competition in Virginia this August Tredinnick who have taught regularly New Adventures Company Laura Bray and Dame Gillian Lynne - Acclaimed dancer, during the year. Luke Sheppard put the students through producer and choreographer; guest their paces as they created ideas for speaker at Elmhurst’s end-of-year Awards Associate Programme Matthew Bourne’s production of Lord of Ceremony. As the academic year draws to a close the Flies . A small number of our students Dr Anne Nugent - Professor of Chichester Elmhurst would like to thank all were selected to attend the final auditions University, who delivered a presentation associates, parents and carers for their at Birmingham Hippodrome and one of on the life and works of William Forsythe. continued loyalty and commitment to the our Year 7 students, Enrique Ngbokota, Prof. Marc Spradling - Former Principal Elmhurst Associate programme. It has was selected to perform in the dancer with Frankfurt Ballet who staged been a successful year with a high Birmingham performances. William Forsythe’s ballet Second Detail for percentage of Year 6 students gaining WDSA - Representatives from the Elmhurst’s Summer Shows places at vocational schools. A second Wheelchair Dance and Sport Association Shannon Parker - Former Principal dancer Associate Intensive course was held at visited the school and delivered a of San Francisco Ballet who helped to Elmhurst in April; it was extremely well workshop with the Year 11 students to stage and rehearse William Forsythe’s attended and the students worked hard raise awareness of inclusivity in dance. Second Detail . and had great fun. Parents and carers The session involved a choreographic Alessandra Pasquali - Ballet Mistress of have had the opportunity throughout the collaboration between the WDSA and Berlin Ballet and freelance teacher who year to observe students at the end of Elmhurst students with the outcome being delivered masterclasses for our graduate every term and we hope you have enjoyed extremely successful, provoking and students. this. We are grateful to the Cecil King inspiring. Paul James Rooney - independent Memorial Trust for their ongoing support choreographer and former Elmhurst for this programme. Visitors to School student, who choreographed two pieces We have recently held auditions for the This year Elmhurst has been fortunate to for the Summer Shows. academic year 2014-15, and will be receive visits from many high-profile and Louise Lenihan - Former West End holding a second round of auditions at the internationally renowned figures from the performer who delivered a masterclass in start of the September term for students world of dance. jazz technique and excerpts from Grease who were unable to attend in June. Maina Gielgud - Former Principal the musical. Please contact Elmhurst’s Registrar, ballerina with London Festival Ballet, Laura Morera and Ricardo Cervera - Bridget Byrne, should you wish to have Artistic Director of Australian Ballet and Royal Ballet Principal dancers who further information on this. current Vice-President of Elmhurst, Maina delivered beautifully crafted ballet classes has been a wonderful source of inspiration for the graduate appraisals. teaching Sixth Form ballet classes, Melissa Hamilton and Nicol Edmonds - providing private one-to-one coaching for Royal Ballet dancers and former Elmhurst the Genée competition applicants, and students who performed at the Summer assisting the artistic staff in staging and Show Gala. rehearsing Birthday Offering for the Nikki Wollaston - West End Summer show; she was also a guest Director/Choreographer who adjudicated adjudicator for the annual appraisals and the Sixth Form jazz appraisals. a guest speaker at our Summer Gala Desmond Kelly - In addition to the Kelly performance. and Parker evening, Desmond assisted in Lynn Wallis - Artistic Director of the rehearsing the ballets The Two Pigeons Royal Academy of Dance who adjudicated and Birthday Offering . the annual appraisals. We are also very grateful to the following Damean Webb - Director of Sarasota Birmingham Royal Ballet staff and Ballet, Florida dancers for their valuable input into the Anne Maher - Director of Ballet Ireland school through teaching, choreographing, Birmingham Associates class; Mare Tommingas - Director of Ballet adjudicating and rehearsing: photo: Roy Smiljanic Vanemuine, Estonia Denis Bonner Keith Mackintosh - Director of Cape Town Patricia Tierney PAGE 5 of 8 RAD Programme young people in school and, through the and entertaining and clients were offered It has been an extremely successful year Reach4Dance initiative (which has been the opportunity to interact and ask for the Royal Academy of Dance generously funded by Johnson and questions at the end. Every feedback I programme, exam results have been Johnson), with people in mental health have received was of how enjoyable and outstanding; 100% at distinction level support settings. Outreach events are entertaining the performance had been’. with a very high number of entries from interactive and are led by Errol Pickford. Pauline Griffiths (Activities and Volunteer Intermediate Foundation to Advanced II. They usually involve Elmhurst final year Co-ordinator at Sunrise Senior Living of Elmhurst students now feature on the and graduate placement students, who Edgbaston) was similarly full of praise DVDs for Intermediate Foundation to offer audiences demonstrations of classical when she said: ‘Can I thank you, Errol, Advanced II female and Grades 4 & 5 ballet, jazz, tap or contemporary dance, John and the dancers for giving the boys’ work, our students’ faces and bodies with an aim of presenting the joy of dance residents and the staff such a wonderful are on the covers of syllabus notes, music of the highest level to people whom it afternoon on Friday of last week. Like last books, DVDs and CDs and also on the would not usually reach, allowing them to time, it has been talked about so much discs themselves! This material has global take a break from their daily routines, to since, which is a sure indicator of distribution and we have received many enhance their sense of well-being and to enjoyment, as so many of our residents complimentary remarks from teachers, have fun. forget the entertainment by the following day. I have to say, we felt it exceeded the students and examiners worldwide about This year, outreach performances have first visit and that was stunning. But with how fantastic our students look. We are involved between two and six dancers and the dances included this time, it was pleased to announce that our male have lasted for between 45 minutes and positively spectacular’. students are currently involved in the an hour. Initially, participants warmed-up piloting and trialling of new work at and undertook barre work with Graduate Employment Advanced I and II levels. commentary from Mr Pickford. This was We are pleased to announce the following followed by two pas de deux from jobs or further education secured by our appropriate productions, such as Don Graduate year students: Quixote or Le Corsaire . Ordinarily, there was also performance of more Alice Balhatchet, hoping to read English contemporary repertoire, such as the Literature at Bristol University; Madeleine Zebra Dance from David Bintley’s ‘Still Bantick, Northern Ballet Academy; Alistair Life’ at the Penguin Café and, to complete Beattie, Bucharest National Ballet; Jessica the performance, one of the dancers might Bellini, Cinevox Junior Company; Bumni sing a light jazz piece, such as a cover of a Bodija, hoping to read Mathematics at Michael Bublé or Frank Sinatra song. Mr UCL; Isaac Cohen, Atlantic City Ballet; Pickford was also keen to encourage Charlotte Goffin, summer 2014 contract in questions from the audience at each English National Ballet’s Romeo and performance. Juliet; Catherine Gurr, Ballet West Trainee Programme USA; Riho Majima, University During 2013/14, Elmhurst’s outreach in Japan; Yujin Muraishi, Slovenian programme visited: Sunrise Senior Living National Ballet; Ririka Oishi, Lion King; in Birmingham; the Bethlem Royal and Paul Oliver, Ballet Ireland; Curtis Pooley, Maudsley Hospitals in London; the Northern Ballet Graduate programme; Hartington and Redbourne Units of the Stephanie Rae, Royal Conservatoire of Derbyshire Foundation Healthcare Trust; Scotland (BA Modern Ballet); Maki and Colmore School and Fordbridge Sekuzu, Birmingham Royal Ballet; Community Primary School in As a result of the trialling of new work Madison Vallance, Sea Cruise UK Limited and because the autumn term is the term Birmingham. that leads up to the greatest number of These events have generated considerable The Elmhurst Team exam entries, Miss Whiteman will be positive feedback from audiences, as well Farewell to: overseeing a large part of Mr Pegler’s as extensive media coverage. Wellington Thorey Mountain , Head of Jazz and work. It is highly likely that we will be Kapfunde (Ward Manager at the Maudsley Related Dance Styles, left Elmhurst at welcoming a new member of the RAD Hospital) got in touch with us after a visit Christmas. Thorey was an integral part of team in January once the exams and to say: ‘The dance group was truly the school since it moved to Birmingham potentially the filming of Advanced I and amazing to say the least. It’s not often you in 2004 and a consummate professional II men is over. see such a large number of our clients sit who frequently gave up her spare time to through a performance, engrossed and as help students with additional tap, singing, Outreach attentive. It’s all testimony to the group’s acting, and preparing for auditions. Elmhurst’s outreach programme is a series skills in engaging and connecting with Thorey now lives and works in the USA. of performance-based workshops that them through their dance routines and provide entertainment and creative educational commentary by their trainer. communication through movement with The performance was different, engrossing PAGE 6 of 8 Philip Pegler , who taught Saturday RAD Keri Haw will be leaving us after eight worked as an Advanced Skills Teacher and classes, is leaving Elmhurst to return to years working at Elmhurst, having brings a range of additional skills to his the USA, where he will be involved with contributed positively to the lives of very role. his second passion after dance, motor many students. Keri will take up post as Manpreet Sambhi is joining Elmhurst in sports. Philip has been a most committed Senior Housemistress at Malvern St James September as Teacher in Charge of Maths. member of the RAD team at Elmhurst on School. We wish her every success in this He comes highly recommended by his Saturdays and we wish all the very best. exciting new post. current school, Hydesville Tower School in Julie Sky left Elmhurst at Christmas as After ten years of working at Elmhurst, Walsall, and has taught in both the state teacher in charge of Maths to take up a Darren Bisbey took the decision to leave and independent sectors. new post teaching Maths in a large the school at the end of the May half term Lily Wilkins joined us at October half term International School in Bahrain. to pursue other opportunities. The school as Assistant Houseparent in Fischer House Harriet Dyke will no longer be teaching is grateful to Darren for his hard work and and has been highly effective and popular French at Elmhurst in September as she is we wish him every success for the future. with students and colleagues alike. needed full time at King Edward’s High Claire Machin joined us in March as Welcome to… School but we want to thank her for her Assistant Houseparent in Mortimer House Sarah Moore joined Elmhurst at the excellent work and the profound impact and School Nutritionist. With an MA in beginning of the Academic Year as a part- she has had in her short time here. sports nutrition from Loughborough time jazz and tap teacher. A former Kevin Robson will be leaving Elmhurst University, Claire has already proved Elmhurst student herself, Sarah has after four years in post to take up a new herself to be a vital member of the Health performed in several West End position as Director of Music at Edgbaston and Wellbeing team and excellent at productions and has many choreographic High School. We wish him every success working with young people. credits to her name. in his new challenge! Sophie Wuidart Gray joined us at the start David Yow, former Sadler’s Wells and Steven Hancock has supported us teaching of June as Assistant Houseparent in Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal, will be GCSE and A level Maths since Easter. We Hetherington. She has recently graduated joining us in September. David has been a are hugely grateful for his support and in Dance from Falmouth University and teacher with the Royal Ballet School since wish him every success in his new role as brings a range of skills and experiences 2005 and will make an extremely valuable Advanced Skills Teacher at Aston that will be highly useful in the Elmhurst and welcome addition to the Artistic team. University Academy in September. context. Christopher Hobson - will be joining the Alexander McKinven has made a positive Sara Shoesmith will join us in September team in September as Head of Musical impact to the development of our as Houseparent in Mortimer House. Sara Support. Part of his position will be to students’ health and wellbeing over the has a wealth of expertise gained in her oversee the smooth running of the ballet past two years. He is leaving the current role at Cheltenham Ladies’ College. pianists in addition to various physiotherapy team at Sharon Morrison Gareth Griffiths will be Assistant administrative duties as well as Physiotherapy and moving on to take up Houseparent in Mortimer House from coordinating the work of the peripatetic a post at the Royal Ballet School from the September. Gareth is well known to the teachers. We look forward to welcoming new academic year. We wish him all the students already as the outstanding and him to the school. best in his new post. highly effective teacher of Academic Victoria Kennerdale will be returning and John Robson worked at Elmhurst for two Dance and helpful organiser in the artistic rejoining the team and is excited at the years, in Park House and Fischer House, faculty! prospect of taking the service into the John secured a new position as Neil Edge joined the Facilities team in the next phase, developing and promoting the Houseparent at Christchurch Cathedral autumn term of this academic year, he service in the prevention of dance injuries School in Oxford where he is now looking resides with his family in the Lodge on the at Elmhurst and working towards the after the boarding choirboys. school site. He has experience of opening of the new Centre for Health and Georgina Clutterbuck worked in Mortimer caretaking at The Lady Jane School in Wellbeing (Academic Year 2015/16) and House for two terms but secured a Walsall as well as a number of security establishing it as a leader in the position as a live-in nanny working with roles. prevention and treatment of dance injuries a family in Paris. Keith Longmore, former Communications in the student dancer. Tom Leighton was Assistant Houseparent Director with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Julia Lloyd Jones joined the academic in Lyndhurst House for two terms but left has joined the school to manage our 10th team teaching Geography in November. us at Easter to become Assistant Head of Anniversary celebrations. Keith was with In her short time with us so far she has Boarding at a state boarding school in Birmingham Royal Ballet for 20 years, had a profound impact in developing Sussex. He made a great impact in his prior to which he worked with Northern excitement and enthusiasm around the short time with us and we wish him all Ballet Theatre. This, along with his West subject. the best. End Theatre event management Dudley Ray will be joining us to teach Sinead Joyce leaves Elmhurst at the end of experience should ensure a hugely Music. He is highly experienced and is the summer term to begin a graduate successful celebratory year. joining us from Polesworth School, rated placement programme with a large outstanding by Ofsted. planning firm. We wish her all the best for Joe Roberts is joining Elmhurst as our new the future. Languages teacher. He has previously PAGE 7 of 8 Fundraising and Development Dance Scheme and Dance and Drama Award is Elmhurst would like to thank all our funders reduced, Elmhurst must generate additional and supporters for another year of funds for student bursary support or risk losing encouragement and support for our mission to potential dancers. Elmhurst, therefore, wishes provide a world-renowned centre of excellence to build an endowment of £600,000 whose for training classical dancers in Birmingham. investment income will be used to support During 2013/14, we raised £210,000 from Elmhurst’s bursary scheme. voluntary sources for a number of large DIARY Health and Well-Being Centre projects, such as student bursaries, Elmhurst Elmhurst’s Medical Centre, which operates six AUTUMN TERM 2014 Associate Programme, and initiatives to Boarders return: 2 September days per week, supports students who are ill or celebrate our tenth anniversary in Birmingham. Term begins: 3 September injured, and we also offer a physiotherapy Leave Out: 27 & 28 September Bursary Fund service three days per week. We intend to Half Term: end of lessons 17 Elmhurst’s bursary fund presently helps a integrate these two services to consolidate and October – 2 November number of Sixth Form students who struggle build on their positive outcomes and to Boarders return: 2 November Leave Out: 22 / 23 November with the costs of their training. Securing establish good habits with students to End of Term: end of Carol financial support for our students has always concentrate on injury prevention. By Service on 12 December been a priority for Elmhurst and funding from reconfiguring and expanding the existing grant-making trusts and foundations has Medical Centre at a cost of £340,000, Elmhurst SPRING TERM 2015 become essential, as we have been told to will be able to establish a better co-ordinated Boarders return: 4 January expect ongoing cuts in Department for resource that will create a step change in Term begins: 5 January Leave Out: 24 & 25 January achieving students’ health goals and helping Education funding. Half Term: end of lessons 13 – them to extend their careers. 22 February Elmhurst Associate Programme Boarders return: 22 February The Elmhurst Associate Programme provides Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) Leave Out: 14 & 15 March classical ballet training for young people (aged Ballet is an anaerobic form of exercise that End of Term: 25 March eight-11 years) in Birmingham, Manchester, does not promote great stamina and is usually Sunderland and Plymouth. We are happy to undertaken in an indoors environment. Since SUMMER TERM 2015 announce that, after another successful year modern choreographers often require Boarders return: 12 April Term begins: 13 April significant levels of fitness and athleticism, under the direction of Denise Whiteman, we Leave Out: 2, 3 & 4 May have secured funding for this programme to dancers need to develop these through cardio- Half Term: 23 – 31 May develop further next year. vascular activities. Elmhurst believes it is Boarders return: 31 May essential to offer students the opportunity to Leave Out: 20 & 21 June 10th Anniversary Campaign participate in outdoor sporting activities on End of Term: 10 July Elmhurst is the only purpose-built vocational campus. Such activities will build aerobic dance school in Europe, however, we have been exercises into their training and encourage STUDENT LEADERS at our present site for ten years and we need to greater stamina, team-building and leadership 2014/15 develop our facilities in line with current opportunities, in the fresh air and within a safe thinking regarding health, well-being and environment. By creating an on-site Multi-Use Head Girl Gwenllian Haf Davies injury prevention. We have, therefore, decided Games Area at a cost of £70,000, we will be Deputy Head Girls Rachel Hickey to expand the Medical Centre and to create an able to offer these opportunities and to outdoor space where students can play sports and Emma Jenkins enhance the Elmhurst experience for our Head Boy Matthew Whittle and games. In addition, we will develop the students, by also giving them a place where Deputy Head Boy Callum Daniels Elmhurst Fund to support our bursary they can relax and find a release from the programme. The total cost of these initiatives is intense technical demands of their training. Student Leaders £1,000,000 and will help to provide a solid Paige Bestington; Gemma Clark; foundation for our graduates’ future careers. If you would like any further information or if Padua Eaton; Isak Palmstierna Einarsson; Morgan Foley; Elmhurst Fund you would like to support any of these Madeline Green; Henry Rhodes; 85% of Elmhurst’s students require financial initiatives, please contact Guy Oddy, Fundraising and Development Officer: Xolisweh Richards; Ebony help to study at the school. As government Thomas support for programmes such as the Music and [email protected]

To keep up to date with Elmhurst news and events during term-time, visit www.elmhurstdance.co.uk

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Architects’ impression of the proposed Health and Well-Being Centre