The Royal Ballet School is coming to Edinburgh this Thursday 5 February to host a special day of free workshops for local school students.
As part of their 100th anniversary celebrations, The Royal Ballet School have invited students from two Edinburgh primary schools to attend a day of free insight classes into the School’s Associate Programme.
Over 70 Year 3 and 4 students from Abbeyhill Primary School and Royal Mile Primary School are set to participate in workshops taught by Royal Ballet School alum and former Principal of Scottish Ballet, Bethany Kingsley-Garner, and assisted by The Royal Ballet School’s Associates and Primary Steps Legacy Lead, Emily Gibbs.
Delivered in partnership with Dance Base, who also celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2026, the workshops will be held in their award-winning studios in central Edinburgh.
There will be three one-hour workshops across the day from 9.30-10.30, 10.45-11.45 and 13.30-14.30, all with live musical accompaniment.
The free workshops will give local primary school students access to high-quality creative ballet training and a unique opportunity to discover what a typical Associate class with The Royal Ballet School is like.
The School is committed to widening access to classical ballet through its national Associate Programme, which offers high-quality ballet training to students aged 8 to 18 at centres across the UK. Ninety percent of entrants into the School come from the seven national Associate centres.
The School has been delivering its Junior and Mid Associate programmes at Dance Base since January 2024, to offer opportunities for children of all backgrounds, experiences or means to engage with dance closer to home.
Associates and Primary Steps Legacy Lead at The Royal Ballet School, Emily Gibbs, said of the event, “The Royal Ballet School is committed to creating opportunities for children and young people across the UK to engage with dance. As part of this year’s centenary celebrations, our insights offer pupils in Years 3 and 4 the chance to experience what it feels like to take a ballet class with The Royal Ballet School. These sessions not only encourage creativity but also help pupils build confidence, develop musicality, and gain a deeper understanding of this inspiring art form.”
Event details:
Date: Thursday 5 February 2026
Workshops: 9.30-10.30, 10.45-11.45 and 13.30-14.30
Location: Dance Base, 4-16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU.
Learn more about the School’s Associate Programme here.
