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LOS ANGELES (November 10, 2025) – For the first time in its nearly 100-year history, The Royal Ballet School—one of the world’s most celebrated centers for classical ballet training—will bring its renowned Intensive Course for young dancers to the United States. The school has selected The Music Center in Los Angeles as the exclusive location for its training program, which is scheduled to take place in summer 2026. This marks a historic moment for both the esteemed ballet school and L.A.’s performing arts center, offering young dancers ages 10–19 with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse themselves in classical ballet technique, solos and repertoire, pointe work, technique focus classes, contemporary dance, body conditioning and creative exploration, all taught by the school’s renowned artistic faculty.
The Royal Ballet School will offer one-week (for students ages 10–13) or two-week sessions (for students ages 14–19), beginning June 29, 2026; approximately 64 students will be accepted into each session. The courses will be taught Monday thru Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The school will offer optional one-hour individual coaching sessions, held from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., for an additional fee on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing participants to refine their artistry in a highly customized environment.
Applications are now being accepted online here; the deadline to apply is January 9, 2026. All applicants are required to submit photographs as part of their application.
“Hosting The Royal Ballet School’s Intensive Course in the United States is a thrilling opportunity for both The Music Center and the vibrant dance community in Los Angeles County and beyond,” said Rachel S. Moore, president & CEO of The Music Center. “As L.A.’s home for dance, we are proud to open our doors and welcome young artists to train in the heart of Downtown L.A. and to contribute to the next generation of inspiring and dynamic dancers. We look forward to partnering with The Royal Ballet School and its faculty, offering a premier space that stands for artistic excellence, learning and creative innovation.”
By bringing its world-class Intensive Course to the U.S. and Los Angeles for the first time, The Royal Ballet School significantly expands its global reach and influence as well as provides a rare opportunity for American dancers to access the school’s elite ballet faculty and training without needing to travel overseas.
“We are extremely excited to partner with The Music Center, an iconic and leading light in the arts, to launch The Royal Ballet School’s first Intensive Course in the United States of America. This marks an important step in expanding access to our world-class training and engaging with the exceptional young talent across the U.S,” said Iain Mackay, artistic director of The Royal Ballet School. “Our teaching faculty will deliver the same distinctive approach and artistic rigor that define our full-time training in London, offering students a truly authentic Royal Ballet School experience in L.A.”
Founded in 1926 by Dame Ninette de Valois, The Royal Ballet School began as The Academy of Choreographic Art and has since evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated centers for classical ballet training. The school is the leading classical ballet institution in the United Kingdom and a globally recognized hub for nurturing exceptional young talent, among them Margot Fonteyn, Kenneth MacMillan, Darcey Bussell, Lauren Cuthbertson, Marianela Nuñez, Marcelino Sambé and Christopher Wheeldon. Graduates continue to professional careers with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other leading U.K. and international companies.
For more details about The Royal Ballet School’s Intensive Course in Los Angeles, including application and course fees, visit royalballetschool.org.uk/losangeles
ABOUT THE MUSIC CENTER
As L.A.’s performing arts center, The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. The $80 million non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, on Jerry Moss Plaza, outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park—a 12-acre adjacent green space—in schools and other locations all over Los Angeles County. TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, free and low-cost public concerts and events, live and digital K–12 arts education programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, the Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $3 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil. For more information, visit musiccenter.org. Follow The Music Center on social media @MusicCenterLA.
ABOUT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL
The Royal Ballet School will celebrate 100 years in 2026, with a legacy built on excellence, and a future focused on expanding opportunity and access to shape the next century of classical ballet. Admission to the School is based purely on talent and potential, regardless of academic ability or personal circumstances. Around 80% of students rely on financial support to attend the School. Throughout their time at the School, students are supported in exploring the art of choreography through the Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme, in honour of the founder’s commitment to nurturing the creative impulse in emerging young artists. The School is committed to widening access to classical ballet through its Associate Programme and Intensive Courses, which offer high-quality ballet training to students aged 8 to 18 in the UK and around the world. The School also sets the standard for the future of classical ballet training with its extensive teacher training programmes for the vocational or recreational sector. For more information visit royalballetschool.org.uk. Follow The Royal Ballet School on social media @royalballetschool.
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