Nicholson School of Dance

Nicholson School of Dance is a ballet-focused dance school with a primary focus on excellence within ballet training. Originally opened in Moseley, the school later moved to its own purpose-built dance studios in Digbeth. The school's background is interwoven with The Royal Ballet School and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Principal Annette Nicholson trained at The Royal Ballet School, performed as Senior Soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet during a 14-year career, and has taught Royal Ballet Associates for over 24 years. The school operates from Units 10 and 11 at Minerva Works, featuring 4 studios with sprung flooring, mirrors, and barres, plus 2 additional private rooms for 1:1 coaching.

The school is located at Unit 10 and 11, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5RT. The location is within Birmingham's Clean Air Zone, approximately a 10-minute walk from Moor Street and New Street stations, and about a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

The school offers ballet tuition for children and adults at various levels including beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Services include private lessons, dancers' screenings, 1:1 tuition, pre-vocational training, the Nicholson Associates programme, and studio hire. Physical assessments are conducted with Phil Birch at Dance Clinic, and bespoke conditioning programmes may be offered if needed.

Children aged 3 to adult can join the school. Adults can attend classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Children can participate in classes from absolute beginner level to those with experience. Students interested in vocational training can access screenings, 1:1 tuition, and the Associates programme. First-time group class students are entitled to a no-obligation trial class.

The school caters for ages 3 to adult across all skill levels. Children's classes range from ages 3-5 through to 13-15 advanced levels. Adult classes are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced dancers. The Associates programme serves ages 10-12 and 13-16+ advanced students. Pre-vocational training is available for students wanting to take ballet to a further level and striving for places at lower and upper school levels.

The school offers coaching for students preparing for auditions, exams, or competitions. Students have gained places at The Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst School for Dance, Rambert, English National Ballet School, Tring, Hammond, Laban, Kate Simmons, Bird College, Central, and Moorlands. The Associates programme provides preparation for vocational classical ballet training. Screenings and 1:1 tuition are available for those looking toward vocational training.

Training emphasizes flexibility, alignment, coordination, technical training, artistic expression, discipline, and love for ballet. Classes include core strengthening, barre, centre work, and pointe work for age 13+. The curriculum focuses on postural and classically placed requirements for strong ballet training, including correct posture, strong use of feet and legs, musicality, and age-appropriate technique. Classes foster teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and love for music, movement, and expression.

Contact Annette Nicholson, Principal and Teacher, by email at redacted@example.com or mobile at 07753 672470. The school can also be reached via Facebook at Nicholson School of Dance or Instagram at @nicholsonschoolofdance.