In autumn 2022, The Royal Ballet School launched Intensive Courses on Demand, bringing outstanding online dance classes to students worldwide. Fast-forward to spring 2024, and the School has now sold more than 3,000 classes and courses, welcoming over 1,000 young people from 64 countries and 6 continents to its global community.
Intensive Courses on Demand offers a unique collection of classes that young dancers can use to supplement their training and ignite their passion for dance. The classes provide deeper insights into ballet as an art form and what it’s like to train with The Royal Ballet School.
The Journey to Intensive Courses on Demand
The Royal Ballet School continually strives to increase global access to its ballet training expertise. For years, the School has offered masterclasses in locations worldwide and invited international students to its UK-based Intensive Courses.
In 2020, schools faced a huge shift to online learning, as the pandemic forced over a billion children out of the classroom. Full-time students of The Royal Ball School also faced this transition. Thanks to the School’s responsiveness and adoption of digital learning, students experienced minimal disruption to their training.
The School extensively expanded its digital capability to continue delivering exceptional teaching to students during this time. Aside from enabling students to continue their education, the School recognised its increased digitisation as an opportunity to reach a wider global audience.
The School went on to launch two pioneering programmes: the Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme, for the recreational dance sector, and Primary Steps on Demand, an online dance programme for primary schools. These programmes solidified the School’s position as a frontrunner in digital dance education.
Next, the School expanded its vocational-level training to passionate ballet students everywhere via Intensive Courses on Demand. The first collection of classes for ages 11+ became available in October 2022. Today, young dancers can explore 39 online classes and informative talks on the video-on-demand platform.
A Closer Look at Intensive Courses on Demand
What Classes Does Intensive Courses on Demand Offer?
Intensive Courses on Demand offers an extensive collection of ballet, contemporary, character, body conditioning, and Pilates classes to enjoy at home. On top of this, focus classes look at specific elements of classical technique, such as port de bras and footwork. Meanwhile, audition insight classes provide a taste of the School’s audition process.
Mirroring its full-time training programme, the School has tailored the online classes to a range of developmental age groups: 7+, 11+, 14+, and 16+. Additionally, classes are suitable for spaces smaller than a ballet studio and don’t require any specialist equipment, making them ideal for home use.
Non-class content includes interviews and talks with the School’s Artistic and Healthcare teams. These videos share valuable advice on various topics and insights into what it’s like to train at the School.
How Much Do Intensive Courses on Demand Classes Cost?
Classes start from £10 each (talks from £5 each) and are available to purchase individually or as specially curated collections. Once purchased, the user has lifetime ownership. Users can access the School’s outstanding dance training anywhere, at any time, and on any device.
Who Teaches Intensive Courses on Demand Classes?
The Royal Ballet School’s expert teachers, including Artistic Director Christopher Powney, teach the classes. Many of the teachers, like Ricardo Cervera, Belinda Hatley, Nicola Katrak, Kate Swainston, and Didy Veldman, are former celebrated dancers and choreographers.
Other top-flight dancers involved in the teaching include José Carayol, Jessica Clarke, Valeri Hristov, Paul Lewis, Liane McRae, Carol-Anne Millar, and Nicola Tranah.
The 22 teachers have a combined expertise of more than 450 years, so young dancers are in safe hands exploring and improving ballet technique and performance.
What Are the Most Popular Intensive Courses on Demand Classes?
These are currently the most popular classes and talks in each category:
- Ballet classes: Developing movement dynamics and self-confidence with Ballet Teacher Liane McRae.
- Focus classes: Introduction to pointe work with McRae.
- Insight classes: Audition Insight class for dancers aged 14-15 with Associate Teacher Julia Ellis.
- Talks: Nutrition for a healthy dancer with the School’s Performance Nutritionist Louise Gubb.
Who Created Intensive Courses on Demand Classes?
The Royal Ballet School’s knowledgeable Artistic and Content teams developed and filmed the classes in-house. Feedback from a user test group and the School’s students helped further refine the programme, ensuring the highest-quality digital offering.
Who Are Intensive Courses on Demand Classes Suitable For?
The classes are suitable for students who are already training in ballet or other dance styles. Intensive Courses on Demand classes can complement and enhance this training. Although the classes are non-selective, they’re not suitable for total beginners.
Students can take classes:
- Alongside their regular training to augment their dancing.
- To continue practising during training breaks.
- To refresh their skills before returning to training.
What Benefits Do Intensive Courses on Demand Classes Offer Students?
Classes offer students the opportunity to explore diverse teaching styles, dance genres, and dance disciplines, thereby enhancing their versatility as dancers. The classes also help students:
- Refine their ballet technique.
- Master essential skills.
- Nurture their artistry, musicality, and self-expression — qualities synonymous with Royal Ballet School excellence.
Praise For Intensive Courses on Demand
Feedback for Intensive Courses on Demand highlights the platform’s high quality and user-friendliness.
One user said: “The teachers’ instructions and explanations are excellent. Very easy to follow and understand, thanks to the students’ demonstrations. The teachers’ advice about how to make it applicable to individuals at home is also excellent.”
Another user enthused: “The class contact is exactly what my daughters are looking for. They provide the technical elements needed and are the perfect preparation for their summer at The Royal Ballet School this year!”
One review highlighted the expertise of the School staff, saying it was a “great opportunity to be coached by gifted teachers.”
The Royal Ballet School has big plans to bring Intensive Courses on Demand to more dancers in the coming months.
Discover Intensive Courses on Demand.
About The Royal Ballet School
As the UK’s leading classical ballet school, The Royal Ballet School believes everyone should have access to creative dance education. The School endeavours to create diverse opportunities for people to engage with ballet and experience world-class teaching and training.
For years, the School’s teacher training department has led the way in evolving teaching practices at the School and beyond. Many dance teachers and professional dancers have developed their skills as educators via the School’s various courses, seminars, and webinars, such as the Diploma of Dance Teaching.
Many consider The Royal Ballet School the home of exceptional ballet training. The School’s full-time course prepares students for successful careers in The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and other prestigious dance companies worldwide.
Aside from its full-time course, the School’s other dancer training offerings include the Associate Programme and Intensive Courses. The School offers in-person Intensive Courses in London and regional centres around the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.