Centre for Advanced Training

Centres for Advanced Training (CAT) in dance help identify and assist young people with exceptional potential, regardless of their personal circumstances, to benefit from world-class specialist training as part of a broad and balanced education.

This will enable them to proceed towards self-sustaining careers in dance.

The Academy of Northern Ballet is the only CAT that specialises in classical ballet in the UK. As a professional ballet company with a wealth of experience in training and nurturing dancers, we are perfectly placed to set aspiring young dancers (aged 10-16) on the path to achieving rewarding careers in dance.

What is different about CAT?

The Academy is one of the few classical training institutions in the UK to train in the same inspirational setting as professional company dancers. This creates opportunities for mentoring and unique possibilities to work with, train alongside and gain invaluable insight from successful professional dancers.

Students train in world-class facilities under the expert guidance of an exceptional teaching faculty, under the artistic direction Federico Bonelli. Many of the teachers have also been professional dancers themselves and can relate to the students from years of professional experience.

CAT is a non-residential programme intended to help students in their pre-vocational training.

Is it right for me?

We believe full-time dance training away from home is not the best option for every child and that some students excel further if they can remain at home for longer. Our students can live at home and attend their regular academic schools, whilst still training to the highest possible standards, mirroring the quality of training on offer at full-time vocational schools. Students must be in full time education living in the UK.

We are incredibly proud of our high success rate with graduate students who have gone on to pursue their dreams of becoming professional dancers.

Your future starts here.

Apply now

Academy Ambassador, Artist of The Royal Ballet

Charlotte Tonkinson

‘As my journey as a professional dancer with The Royal Ballet begins I can reflect on what I thought was only ever a dream as I was growing up and training. My journey to this point would never have been possible without the intense but enjoyable training I received as part of the CAT programme.’