To mark the start of National Free Wills Month, The Royal Ballet School has partnered with later life planners ‘My Intent’ to offer a free will-writing service to those interested in leaving a gift in their will to the School. This initiative is designed to encourage the general public to leave a lasting legacy that will support the next generation of dancers and help secure The Royal Ballet School’s future for the next 100 years.
Ninety per cent of students rely on financial support to attend The Royal Ballet School, with 25 per cent receiving 100 per cent fee support. Eighty per cent of current Royal Ballet dancers graduated from the School, demonstrating the importance of financial support for young dancers and the need to lower barriers to participation.
That financial strain is lessened for many by donations and pledges left in wills, as well as other contributions, all of which help the next generation of dance artists realise their brightest potential.
Actor and Producer Nigel Pegram, a legacy pledger to the School, shares insights into why he supports the students. He tells Dance Informa, “I first became involved with The Royal Ballet School in 1999, when the then Artistic Director Gailene Stock asked my beloved wife, April Olrich (she had joined Colonel Wassily de Basil’s Original Ballet Russe aged 13, then joined Ninette de Valois’ Sadler’s Wells Ballet in 1949), if she would found an award for Year 11 students in her name: The April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance.”
Olrich passed in 2014, with Pegram taking over the award, and since its launch in 2000, there have been 26 winners.
When asked about supporting the future of the School through leaving a legacy, he says, “Since April and I don’t have children, we decided together that we would leave a percentage of our combined estate to the School to perpetuate the joy that we have had with these wonderful young people. It’s very precious to me. When April died, keeping in touch with alumni of the School throughout their careers has helped fill a very large hole.”
Pegram also shares that it seemed natural to help perpetuate the “hopes and dreams of these amazing young people.”
On why the community was so important, he adds, “The warmth and welcome that I receive every time I go to White Lodge and to Upper School in Floral Street is something very, very special.”
He continues, “I support because I like being involved with this wonderful school. It’s amongst the finest ballet schools in the world. And because of the pressure of VAT being removed, we desperately need to raise funds for this extraordinary, wonderful place. So I beg people, if they love ballet, if they love dance, if their children are involved in dance, think about opening your piggybank and leave something to this glorious institution. I love it here. It’s like coming home.”
Former dance teacher Donna Paris also shares how vital this was to the school. “I was inspired to leave a gift in my will to The Royal Ballet School as, quite simply, I believe it to be the best ballet school in the world. Since being involved through leaving a legacy, the School has truly exceeded my expectations.”
Paris adds, “The students are highly talented individuals with great promise in this art form. Not only the standard of training but the consistent respect, care and nurturing of each individual dancer is most evident and admirable. My favourite thing about being part of the School community is that I am made to feel involved and truly appreciated. The School is most generous in inviting me to special events. It’s such a privilege to have this insight opportunity and only reaffirms my decision to leave a legacy. I relish being able to follow these young dancers on their path through training and into their careers.”
The Royal Ballet School has been at the cornerstone of British classical ballet for 100 years with many notable alumni such as Margot Fonteyn, Kenneth MacMillan, Antoinette Sibley, Anthony Dowell, Anya Linden, Wayne Sleep and Darcey Bussell.
But with limited public funding and a commitment to accessibility, the School depends on support to ensure talent, not financial means, determines opportunity.
It doesn’t matter how little or how much you can give. All gifts left to the School will be directed to The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund, allowing donations of any size to provide regular vital support where it is most needed.
Legacy pledgers become valued members of the School’s Dame Ninette Circle, named in recognition of the School’s founder, Dame Ninette de Valois, and will receive:
- Two invitations to open studio days (three per year),
- Two invitations to the Dame Ninette Circle afternoon tea,
- Two invitations to the preview performances of the Ninette De Valois Choreographic Programme (three per year),
- Two invitations to attend one the School’s annual Summer Performances at Opera Holland Park,
- Priority booking for the annual Summer Performance matinee at the Royal Opera House, and
- Exclusive updates through the Inside the School newsletter.
For donor Patricia Chapman, who has been a donor since 2001, the gifting in your will is a way to keep the artform visible and recognisable. “We support The Royal Ballet School because we want ballet to continue as an art form and recognise that this requires support at all levels. We also believe that young people with the talent to become professional dancers should have access to the best training regardless of their background.”
She adds, “The most enjoyable part of supporting the School and the greatest privilege is to watch the students grow and develop as dancers. Observing the many types of training they experience to develop their strength, technique and stage craft is a joy. We greatly admire the dedication of the staff and the respect to each other shown by students and staff.”
Make your will for free now at www.royalballetschool.org.uk/support/legacy-and-in-memory.You can also reach out to Ella Cooper at The Royal Ballet School: Ella.Cooper@royalballetschool.org.uk.
By Jamie Body of Dance Informa.
