A Brief Look at London’s Famous Royal Ballet School

Julia Cominos is a Los Angeles-based strategist and business development consultant and the former managing director of Joie de Vie, LLC. In 2009, Julia Cominos initiated a partnership with London’s Royal Ballet School to arrange for a famous artist to craft a tributary monument to honor the school’s founder. Below is an overview of the well-known Royal Ballet School and its programs.

Established in 1926 by Dame Ninette de Valois, the Royal Ballet School is a world-renowned center for professional dance training. The London school’s operations encompass the Lower School in Southwest London and the Upper School adjacent to Covent Garden. The company operates in eight locations across the United Kingdom with the goal of developing talent across the nation wherever it may lie.

Only very talented students and those with high potential are permitted to enter the school’s program with approximately 1,000 students auditioning for placement at the school each year. Over 95 percent of the 220 students that do gain entry receive financial assistance from the government or other supporters.