Principal Zoe Mather, herself a classically trained dancer, said “it becomes progressively more difficult to achieve great marks at these high grades but our ballet students worked incredibly hard in preparation for their RAD examinations. Achieving Distinctions and Merits is an amazing accomplishment at any time, but especially impressive after such a difficult year, when so much of their training has been online because of a pandemic! It is their commitment and desire to do their best that has achieved such wonderful results. I am so proud.”

Not only did much of the training take place online, but the exams themselves had to be filmed between lockdowns in a socially-distanced exam setting. 

Zoe encourages anyone interested in Ballet to have a go. “The benefits to young people are huge. Dance is one of the best and most enjoyable forms of exercise and fantastic for developing confidence.”

Centre Stage, which is based in Poole, offers the opportunity to try Ballet from the age of just 2½, with all classes (even at the youngest age) taught by Royal Academy of Dance trained teachers. 

“The RAD syllabus is world-leading and allows us to create dancers that can beautifully marry both the artistic and technical aspects of classical ballet,” claims Zoe. “You shouldn’t be concerned if you think you are coming to Ballet late. You can join at any age or Grade and not be disadvantaged. We are always looking for more ballet dancers – both boys and girls - to join the Centre Stage family, so come and give it a go!”

Visit the Centre Stage website www.centrestagedance.org or contact the school on 01202 733 231 or via enquiries@centrestagedance.org for more details.