Jo De Souza Dance Centre offers assessment and exceptional ballet coaching and training for students aiming to successfully audition for vocational ballet schools, musical theatre schools and colleges, and additionally easter/summer intensive training programmes.

In 2021, Jo De Souza Dance Centre’s students were offered no less than 18 places at 4 different vocational ballet schools: Royal Ballet School (White Lodge), Elmhurst, Tring Park, and Young Dancers Academy. Many others were offered places on the Royal Ballet School junior and mid-associate programmes.

Coaching and training are available from Year 4 up to Year 11 for Upper School auditions, and also for easter and summer intensive courses such as those held at the Royal Ballet School (White Lodge).

Training is also offered to students wanting to strengthen their classical ballet for entry into musical theatre colleges. Doreen Bird College Laine Theatre Arts, Performers College, Urdang Academy, and Italia Conti are just some examples of those vocational schools and colleges.

Training

Training is offered on a 1-2-1 basis, or within group classes. See timetable.
1-2-1 coaching – can either be in the studio or on zoom. It can take place on various days in agreement/arrangement with Jo.
Group classes – the junior and senior training programmes (Mon & Fri) plus the Associate programme (Sun) are all aimed towards students wishing to apply to audition for full-time training at a vocational school.

How to join a class or get private coaching?

To join any of our programmes, or for 1-2-1 coaching (online or in-person), we would require the student to have a 1-2-1 lesson for Jo to assess them. See our courses webpage for more detail on the content.
We are located at Postcode HP23 5EY (opens up google maps).
To arrange this, please call Jo on 07809 125257.

My child already trains at a ballet school. Does he/she really need extra training?

The intention of our training is to improve, enhance and prepare, and to work alongside your child’s current and vital regular training. The competition for vocational ballet school places is intense. The standards are high. Thousands of budding dancers start the selection process each year, competing for a very limited number of places. History and experience show that those selected have either attended associate programmes or have been individually trained. As a former principal classical ballet dancer, Jo’s personal experience and subsequent years of coaching put her in an excellent position to coach and train dancers to the high standard required. Her track record with students obtaining vocational places is outstanding.

Is my child of the required standard?

We will initially assess your child, providing honest feedback in our opinion for suitability for further training. Selection for vocational ballet school places is based on a number of factors in addition to (but not limited to) their current ability, physical suitability, natural coordination and musicality. Should a child progress through auditions to the final selection stage, they will be put through a series of tests and checks (by physiotherapists for example) to ensure that the child’s physical make-up can develop as will be required by the rigorous training.