Junior Summer School 2023 (London)

Who can attend?

Junior Summer School students must be between the age of 8-18 years when they commence the course.

Students must be studying ballet, Grade 2 up to Intermediate Foundation, or the equivalent, and therefore be familiar with the ballet terminology and phrases at Grade 2 as a minimum. There is no audition, selection, or elimination process. Students will be grouped by the Artistic Team according to their age and the information provided on their application relating to their Grade in ballet and other dance experience. Please ensure your application is accurate.

Please review our syllabus vocabulary with your child’s ballet teacher if you are unsure what level they are currently studying. Students can be studying the RAD ballet syllabus or another ballet syllabus, and are not required to have RAD Membership to be eligible to attend the London Summer School.

Dates

• Week 1: Monday 24 July – Saturday 29 July 2023 (SOLD OUT)

To join the waiting list for Week 1, please complete the form found here.

• Week 2: Monday 7 August – Saturday 12 August 2023 (SOLD OUT)

To join the waiting list for Week 2, please complete the form found here

Closing date: Monday 5 June 2023

Venue

The Summer School will be held at our purpose-built studios in London. Full address details below:

Royal Academy of Dance headquarters
188 York Road
London
SW11 3JZ

Classes

All students will take classes in:

• non-syllabus ballet
• classical group dance
• creative dance
• body conditioning, yoga or pilates
• and one other dance style that varies each week, the variable dance style will be one of the following: hip-hop, musical theatre or street dance.

All classes are compulsory and each dance class is 1 hour duration.

Please see an example timetable of what a day at the Junior Summer School may look like.

Times

Monday-Friday: 10.15am – 5.00pm
Saturday: Hours vary

• Students will have a short morning and afternoon break with a longer lunch break in the middle of the day.
• The theatre trip day (Week 1 – Thursday, Week 2- Wednesday) will be an earlier start and later finish, and on Saturday tuition hours vary for the parent open day.
• A full timetable will be included in the final Information Pack sent to all attendees following the closing date.

Theatre trip

As part of the Junior Summer School students will attend a matinée West End performance one afternoon and will receive an ice cream during the interval. Please note, coaches will be provided to escort all students to the theatre and parents will collect students from the theatre after the show.

Week 1

Performance: MAMMA MIA!

Date and Time: Thursday 27 July – 3pm

Theatre: Novello Theatre

Join the fun at MAMMA MIA!, the world’s sunniest, most exhilarating smash-hit musical! Since premiering in London’s West End over 23 years ago, “the ultimate feel-good show” (Classic FM) has thrilled over 65 million people around the world.

Fall in love with the irresistibly funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless songs. The worldwide phenomenon has now been turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at MAMMA MIA!

Week 2

Performance: Frozen the Musical

Date and Time: Wednesday 9 August – 2.30pm

Theatre: Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Set the magic free with Disney’s spectacular FROZEN. The award-winning musical brings to life a world of sumptuous beauty, humour and iconic music in a jaw-dropping production to melt hearts of all ages.

When Queen Elsa’s hidden powers plunge the land of Arendelle into an eternal winter, her sister Anna sets out to find her and save the kingdom before it’s too late. But as the storm rages on, both sisters must learn that only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart.

FROZEN will defy all expectations on an unforgettable journey packed with thrilling surprises, hilarious characters and soaring music, including twelve new songs written especially for the show, alongside all the classics such as ‘For the First Time in Forever’, ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’ and the worldwide smash-hit, ‘Let it Go’. Brought to the stage with astonishing special effects by an award-winning creative team, FROZEN is the awe-inspiring musical sensation at the magnificent Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll never let it go.

Tuition Award

One tuition award will be presented to a student (at any level) who has shown significant improvement at the RAD Junior Summer School. The award is one week’s tuition at an RAD Summer School in 2024 or 2025.

Faculty

The Summer School team consists of graduates of the RAD Professional Dance Teachers Diploma, teachers at the RAD Dance School, professional Dance Artists, performers, and choreographers working in Vocational Dance Schools and in the West End. All tutors have many years of experience working with young dancers to develop their technique, bring out their creativity, and further their love of movement and dance. Find out who the tutors are.

Lunch

Students must bring a packed lunch each day as this will not be provided. Snacks and drinks will be available for students during the breaks. All dietary requirements should be submitted at the time of applying. We will share menu details for the onsite café in the Information Pack, should students wish to purchase their lunch onsite.

Accommodation

The RAD does not organise accommodation for students, however, if you are looking for somewhere close by to stay, you may find our List of Accommodation helpful.

Early Bird Club

Early Bird Club runs each morning (Monday – Friday) from 8.30am.

For an additional £12 per day (£60 for the week), students will be cared for by our dedicated and friendly team of Chaperones and offered a choice of indoor activities. The aim is to provide an affordable, safe and stimulating environment before dance classes begin and to give parents added flexibility. Fresh fruit and milk will be provided, students are welcome to bring their own breakfast cereal, or purchase something from the onsite cafe.

Discounts

• Sibling discounts: Two sibling students: 10% off total cost of tuition fee, and three or more sibling students: 20% off total cost of tuition fees. Please contact the Learning and Participation Team by emailing participate@rad.org.uk to retrieve the discount code prior to booking.
• Group discounts: A 10% discount will be applied to the total cost of tuition fees for groups of 10-15 students within the same price band. For groups of 10 or more students please contact the Learning and Participation team to secure you places by emailing participate@rad.org.uk. Please note, group bookings are limited to 15 students per group per week.

Apply

Please ensure you check the ticket details carefully. If the ticket you wish to book appears sold out, please apply online for the ‘Waiting List’ ticket. The  will contact you should a suitable place become available.

Please ensure you have read our Summer Events Terms & Conditions carefully before you apply. You will need to confirm your acceptance of these terms when you register your place.

The RAD uses Cvent for ticketing and registration for events (including workshops, masterclasses, CPD, and a range of free activities). We only store your personal information in order to facilitate your attendance and to request feedback. We will not use your information to contact you unless you have opted to receive marketing materials or have signed up for our e-newsletter. For further details on how your information is processed, please see the Student Activities Privacy Notice.

Please note, in the event of injury or medical emergency during the activity a qualified First Aider from Royal Academy of Dance will provide necessary treatment and assistance to the participant. Please see our Terms & Conditions for further information on this.