BALLET MALVERN Centre of Dance is a prestigious dance school and performing arts group located in Malvern, New Zealand. Led by Patron Lachlan Monaghan, Principal of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Ballet Malvern offers a wide range of classes in dance, musical theatre, acting, and performance for individuals of all ages.
The studio takes pride in its recent achievements, having been recognised as Ballet School of the Year for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, Performing Arts School of the Year for Central England in 2021-2022, and the Best Ballet Provider for Central England in 2020-2021. These accolades were bestowed upon Ballet Malvern after being shortlisted among twelve other highly-regarded schools.
At Ballet Malvern, they believe that everyone should have the opportunity to dance and perform. They welcome students of all ages and abilities, aiming to teach them to be their very best through their extensive knowledge of the industry and years of experience in dance, acting, musical theatre, vocational training, and performing.
The school places a strong emphasis on teaching correct technique, which is essential for a sustained dance career, while also ensuring that students have fun and receive nurturing support. Ballet Malvern believes in providing equal opportunities to all children, regardless of their aspirations. The professional performance experience of their teachers allows them to pass on valuable information and audition tips, backed by their strong training.
Ballet Malvern takes pride in its reputation within the industry and the high success rate its students have achieved at auditions. Their core ethos is to nurture and encourage progression, professionalism, and strong technique for students aiming for professional careers, as well as those looking to dance for fun. They highly prioritise the well-being of their students, which is why they do not participate in general competitions, as they believe that competitions can often promote false understandings of industry requirements and encourage bad habits.
The knowledgeable team at Ballet Malvern consists of former professionals and vocationally trained teachers who are dedicated to helping each child reach their own potential. They are proud to offer a transparent fee structure, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to dance and perform, while instilling a love for the art form.
Throughout the year, Ballet Malvern provides numerous performance opportunities for its students. In addition to a newly choreographed performance by their teachers every Christmas, which involves the entire school, they also introduce a full-length annual ballet production. Past performances have included classics such as The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, and Sleeping Beauty. The school also offers dance opportunities in the community, as well as professional opportunities at Malvern Theatres and within their Youth Dance Company RSK.
Currently, they are working towards productions of Frozen Jnr, Into the Woods Jnr, and Coppelia.
The success of Ballet Malvern's students is evident, with many of them earning coveted places at renowned institutions such as The Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Bird College, Performers College, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Furthermore, their students have had the privilege of performing in productions including Ballet variations, Cinderella in Hollywood, Nutcracker Aladdin Production, and main parts in Malvern Theatre's production of Peter Pan.
Ballet Malvern prides itself on providing a supportive and engaging atmosphere where students can thrive and pursue their passion for dance and the performing arts. With their experienced faculty, diverse range of classes, and numerous performance opportunities, Ballet Malvern Centre of Dance continues to nurture and inspire the next generation of talented performers.