20: A Whole School Performance

20, our exciting programme of summer shows in 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of the relocation of Elmhurst Ballet School from Camberley, Surrey to Birmingham. As such, the pieces performed will celebrate this exciting milestone in the history of the school. The performances promise to spotlight the talents of Elmhurst Ballet School students from the Lower and Upper School, and the Class of 2024 graduate year, Elmhurst Ballet Company.

In a range of choreography and styles of dance, 20 has allowed each year group of students to work with both Elmhurst tutors and external artists. The privilege of working with external artists means that the students have all experienced the creative process first hand. Ballet, Contemporary, African and Caribbean and Jazz will be on display during 20, highlighting the versatility of Elmhurst students.

Ballet highlights include a work by former Elmhurst student Rosie Price for the year 7 and 8 students, which pays tribute to Birmingham's long history of Irish immigration. Former Birmingham Royal Ballet and Rambert Dance Company dancer Mikaela Polley has created pieces for the year 9 and 11 students based on themes surrounding transition, relocation and the celebration of new beginnings. And to celebrate the special relationship between Birmingham Royal Ballet and Elmhurst Ballet School, BRB Principal dancer Lachlan Monaghan has worked with the year 12 students to restage his popular work Axios, which he created for World Ballet Day in 2023.

Eyes will be on Contemporary dance with the years 12, 13, and graduate students who have worked with Cuban choreographer Miguel Altunaga to bring excerpts from City of a Thousand Trades to the Elmhurst stage. In 2021, Miguel was commissioned by Carlos Acosta and Birmingham Royal Ballet to create City of a Thousand Trades, which is described as a love letter to the city of Birmingham and a celebration of the city’s richly diverse cultural and industrial heritage. It is a work that promises to bring the house down in celebration of 20 years of Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham.

African Caribbean and Flamenco dance also shape the run of shows in Elmhurst Ballet School's Studio Theatre in Edgbaston, in work from Birmingham-based national and international touring ballet company ACE Dance. ACE Dance have worked with the year 10 students to challenge their versatility and deliver movement rooted in African dance but fusing styles drawn from martial arts and an essence of Flamenco and Ballet.

And former Scottish Ballet and Rambert Dance Company dancer Daniel Davidson has worked with Year 13 students to research and create a work that explores themes of relocation, different time zones, and distance. His collaborative approach with the students involved them contributing ideas, and fostering shared ownership and creativity of the piece.

Curtain up at 7pm. Please note: Doors will not open before 6:30pm for access into the main school building.

Please note that parking on-site is limited. There is parking available a short walking distance away from Elmhurst at the MAC.

For guests requiring accessible seating and/or disabled parking, please book your seats using Eventbrite, then email your requirements to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Elmhurst Ballet School