The Performance Platform
The Performance Platform will be an annual event designed to allow students the chance to showcase their technical and performance abilities to a panel of highly respected, industry professional judges.
The aim is to provide an opportunity for young dancers to perform a repertoire solo of their choice, learn how to deal with nerves when performing and improve through feedback and constructive comments from the judges. This platform is also a chance for students to make dance industry connections that will serve them in good stead for future training and performance opportunities.
After a period of limited opportunities for dancers due to COVID-19, particularly for those trying to audition for schools and companies, we felt it would be exciting to have a new focus and an opportunity to showcase performance skills. This is primarily a learning platform, and not so much a focus on the competition element. The awards are a bonus to encourage and reward hard work; however, the main element is self-discovery through the choice of a solo to suit the individual dancer, and the application of technique – how classwork and in-depth understanding directly affects one’s ability to execute a solo correctly.
The judges will be looking for a combination of artistry, musicality, and pure technique; therefore, it is important for dancers to consider their own strengths and weaknesses in order to select a solo that will fully suit them and allow these three important elements to be showcased to the best of their ability. Subsequently, a final round in the form of a physical live performance will be the goal.
Feedback is provided for every applicant after the preliminary round and will be sent via email. Further consultations can also be arranged on an individual basis.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity and challenge!
Preliminary Judges
Ruth Brill
After dancing with English National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, where she was also promoted to First Soloist, Ruth is now a full time choreographer. She has created works for English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, New English Ballet Theatre, among the others. Since 2019 Ruth is also Artistic Director of London Children’s Ballet.
Olivia Cowley
Soloist with The Royal Ballet, Olivia has already danced many roles of the company’s repertoire including big swan (Swan Lake), Grand Duchess Olga (Anastasia), Summer Fairy (Cinderella) Arabian Princess and Lead Flower (The Nutcracker). Olivia is also a renowned teacher.
Maina Gielgud
After an incredible career as dancer and director, Maina is now an amazing teacher, coach and repetiteur. Guests in major companies around the world, Mina also has great connections in some of the most important schools, where she teaches and often stages productions.
Glenn Graham
Resident Director and dancer with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Glenn Graham is also a teacher and rehearsal director. He has danced with a number of companies including Introdance and Phoenix Dance Theatre.
Emma Northmore
After a career with English National Ballet, where she was promoted twice and performed soloist roles Emma is now a teacher and artistic director. Together with directing Ballet Boost she also teaches for various ballet companies.
Didy Veldman
Artistic director, choreographer and contemporary teacher, Didy has danced with many companies including Scapino Ballet, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and Rambert Dance Company. She now directs her own company Humanoove and teaches professionals and students all around the world.
Section Guidance
The grade levels are there as guidance only, so please do contact us should you fall shy of a level. Remember this is a vocational competition, aimed at assisting and further enhancing vocational potential in classical ballet. However, everyone is welcomed to apply – those who are on associate programmes, at full time school, or training locally. We want to provide an opportunity for students to shine after a tough time of restrictions; and provide a little excitement without any real stress attached. This is very important – please view this not as an added pressure, but a new and exciting opportunity to showcase who you are, and what you can do!
Section 1
One main event – consisting of a video submission of your entry. The following year groups will be judged separately:
- Aged 8/9 (Year 5) – minimum Grade 4 or about to take Grade 3
- Aged 10/11 (Year 6) – minimum Grade 5
The focus for this section is mainly on gaining experience, and feedback to aid progression. Awards are made after the preliminary round, with the possibility of exceptional students being invited to showcase their work at the finals.
Section 2
Two events – a preliminary round via video, and a final in late March in a studio theatre / theatre (COVID and venue permitting):
- Ages 11-13 (Year 7 & 8) – minimum Inter Foundation / Grade 6 or vocational student
Preliminary
Submission of entry via video, focussing on application of technical elements combined with artistry and musicality.
Finals
Finals will provide the additional element of handling nerves in the moment, enjoying a live performance and demonstrating to the judges the process of learning involved through handling moments when things may go wrong, or not quite to plan!
Finalists will be selected from the initial video applications. The number of finalists is at the judges’ discretion, as is the allocation of awards.
Section 3
Two events – a preliminary round via video and a final in late March, in a studio theatre / theatre (COVID and venue permitting)
- Year 9 & 10 – minimum Intermediate level or vocational student
Preliminary
Submission of entry via video, focussing on application of technical elements combined with artistry and musicality.
Finals
Finals will provide the additional element of handling nerves in the moment, enjoying a live performance and demonstrating to the judges a natural instinct for professionalism through handling moments when things may go wrong, or not quite to plan!
Finalists will be selected from the initial video applications. The number of finalists is at the judges’ discretion, as is the allocation of awards.
Section 4
Two events – a preliminary round via video, and a final in late March in a studio theatre / theatre (COVID and venue permitting):
- Years 11, 12 and above – minimum Advanced Foundation or vocational student
Preliminary
Submission of entry via video, focussing on application of technical elements combined with artistry and musicality.
Finals
Finals will provide the additional element of handling nerves in the moment, enjoying a live performance and demonstrating to the judges the process of learning involved through handling moments when things may go wrong, or not quite to plan!
Finalists will be selected from the initial video applications. The number of finalists is at the judges’ discretion, as is the allocation of awards.
Solos
Solos to be classical or neo classical, taken from professional repertoire only please. Dancers are to make their own choice about the repertoire to be performed.
This event is primarily designed to be a learning platform; therefore, dancers are asked to consider their strengths, personality and what they have to offer, and choose a piece to suit them accordingly. Enjoy the process… and really give it some thought!
Please consider appropriate choice for your age and level and DO NOT perform on pointe if under 12 years of age. We are not looking for the most advanced solo or technique, but the most pure and correct form of ballet at a vocational level. Minimal adjustments to the original choreography are permitted for spatial reasons (i.e. if filming at home or in a small space!)
Costumes
We want to see genuine artists performing to the best of their abilities so we can provide helpful, honest feedback to give the optimum chances of success as part of their ongoing training; and for the older students – to ensure optimum opportunities for entry into a professional company.
Extravagant costumes / tutus are not necessary at all and can even act as a mask for technical feedback, so please consider this when choosing what to wear. Naturally, dancers enjoy this aspect too… however, I would like to reassure everyone that the “best tutu” is not an award!
Awards & Feedback
Results will hopefully be announced w/c 21st February. Finals will take place in late March (date and venue TBC, and COVID permitting).
A 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded in each section.
Additional awards will include:
One to Watch / Most Potential
Musicality
Outstanding Performer
Artistry & Technicality
Every entry will be viewed by judges, who will be professionals in the field of classical ballet, and feedback will be offered in the form of a list of 3 points to work on as a minimum. There is potential for scholarships towards future courses and on-going training.
Individual consultations for further feedback can be arranged directly with Emma – please email theperformanceplatform@balletboost.com.
The fee to enter is £50.00. This is payable upon application via bank transfer (please provide a fully named reference). Please note this is a separate account from the usual Ballet Boost account:
Ballet Boost
09-01-29
15106605
The deadline for application forms is 30th January 2021. Please download the application form and submit this via email to theperformanceplatform@balletboost.com address, along with a link to your video submission. Alternatively you can send the video link (clearly referenced) by 18th February 2021. Ideally the video should be made available through YouTube or Vimeo (password protected please).