News
Beyond the Barre Newsletter. Edition 2 - February 2013
Welcome to the second edition of Beyond the Barre. Our Friends Programme, launched last summer with the inaugural edition of Beyond the Barre, was a fantastic success, due entirely to you. We have raised over £6,000 in the first year from new Patrons, Members of the 100 Club and Friends and we cannot express gratitude enough. Thank you – and we hope you will continue to enjoy travelling with us in 2013 and beyond.
We held a happy launch party at York St John University during last year’s Summer School, on what turned out to be one of the year’s few sunny evenings, and were then entertained by a spirited talk and recital by Philip Gammon, former Principle Pianist with the Royal Ballet, on “My Life in the Royal Ballet” – and what a remarkable life it was.
We wish a special welcome to all those who became Friends through buying tickets to Madam and the Dying Swan. For more information about us do look at www.ybss.co.uk. If you think any of your guests might be interested in learning more about us and becoming a Friend, do feel free to pass this Newsletter to them or give us email addresses and we can do it for you.
We have lots planned for this year and hope that we will see as many of you as possible at events during the year.
The Director’s Update
Dear Friends
Once more, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for your wonderful support. I hope that you know how very much appreciated it is.
2012`s Summer School was a very happy time, there was a great atmosphere, and everyone seemed to be having a jolly time, including myself. This of course is our aim, to engage with the students, and inspire and encourage them in a warm and friendly environment. The 2011 Summer School saw a number of our longstanding students graduate, particularly boys, so I was very pleased that last year’s intake included a high proportion of younger students, many showing an encouraging level of talent. I hope that these students will return to the School over the years and form a new core of talent which moves through the School, ultimately graduating to positions in leading ballet companies.
I was delighted with all of the teachers, and, as ever, the Master Classes, this year taught by Sir Anthony Dowell and Donald MacLeary, and the Evening events were a great success.
This time we asked the students to fill in a small questionnaire. It has been gratifying to read the results. We asked, “ What did you enjoy most about YBSS?”. Many responded by simply writing “ Everything !“ You’ll find a selection of their comments further down: they make inspiring reading.
This year is the 40th anniversary of YBSS. We are proud to announce that the The Sadler’s Wells Trust, as the first of an annual involvement with dance charities, is supporting Yorkshire Ballet Summer School. So I am very happy to tell you that on 29th September we will be staging a Gala at Sadler’s Wells. We have done a number of galas in York and are breaking tradition this year due to the generous support of Sadler’s Wells.
40 years have seen a huge number of students pass through the Summer School. Many have gone on to careers as professional dancers in companies all over the world. But we also take pride on giving young dancers a chance to dance and to gain confidence from the wonderful teachers we’ve had over the years, even if dance does not become their career – it is always a joy to see young people develop, in a way which will be valuable to them whatever they do.
Quite apart from the wonderful sponsorship, holding the 2013 Gala in London rather than York will limit the costs, by removing the need to pay for stars’ travel to and expenses in York. Of course, the Gala at Sadler’s Wells does not mean that we have decided against future Galas in York.
Finally, an apology – the first Beyond the Barre featured our student Xander Parish as a member of Bolshoi Ballet. He is of course with the Mariinsky Ballet. I am so sorry for this mistake.
Thank you for your interest and generosity.
Warmest wishes
Marguerite Porter
Student News
Thrilling news: long time YBSS student Matthew Ball was selected to join The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden in September 2013.
Brandon Lawrence reports: “I danced Pavane, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, in Birmingham, part of the ‘Evening of Music and Dance’ by Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. I danced it with Delia Matthews, who is a First Artist and a pleasure to dance with. It was a great opportunity and experience. I loved it!"
And here is a selection of comments from students at the 2012 Summer School:
“I really enjoyed the baroque classes because I loved dancing the old dances and I also enjoyed Marguerite Porter’s class. I got lots of good experience with professional teachers and learnt lots. I am definitely going to come next year.”
Holly Timings-Thomas, age 10
“I really enjoyed the teachers and we had the challenge of being in [class] A1. I get experience of working with some great teachers and dancing alongside some great dancers. I gain strength and ability from the course, which is so helpful. Thank you so much for having me attend the course. Everybody is so nice and friendly and it is the best Summer School I have ever attended."
Tom Bradshaw, age 15
“I enjoyed the ballet classes, especially with Mr Jay Jolley and Mr Paul Lewis and getting the opportunity to get an experience of what ballet school would be like and the people. I learned lots of new steps and got a really good understanding of classical and contemporary. I loved it!”
Lauren Souter, age 14
Madam and the Dying Swan
Those of you who were able to come to the screening of Madam and the Dying Swan and Marianela Nuñez’ performance of The Dying Swan at the Royal Opera House last week contributed to a spontaneous and moving occasion, which was both thrilling and heartwarming. We are deeply grateful for your support.
Looking Ahead
SAVE THE DATE: The YBSS Gala Evening of Autumn Dance and Song is on Sunday 29th September at Sadler’s Wells in London. We are delighted that Sir Anthony Dowell and Sir Derek Jacobi have once more agreed to compare our Sadler’s Wells Gala. We will announce further performers as soon as we can and hope to have a stellar line up as we have done on previous occasions. Tickets will be on sale from the Sadler’s Wells Box Office in the Spring www.sadlerswells.com or telephone 0844 412 4300.
How to Apply to come and see this year’s Summer School
Priority tickets will be available to watch class in Temple Hall at York St John’s University during the 2013 Summer School (between 20 July and 2 August, excluding Friday afternoon 26 July and Saturday 27 July). Please apply between 1 and 14 July by email to info@ybss.co.uk. Applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis and please remember that spaces are limited, so be ready to apply on 1 July!
Remember, if you don’t get priority seats to watch class, a limited number of seats are available on each day – just come to Temple Hall on the day.
All tickets to watch class are £12 for the day and £9 for half a day, payable in cash at the door.
PATRONS and 100 CLUB MEMBERS may also apply to watch the evening Master Classes in Temple Hall, starting at 6pm. Details will be sent out in the Summer Newsletter.
Madam and The Dying Swan
Download our form to purchase tickets to the Dying Swan event (PDF 45kb)
