June 21, 2018 3.25 pm This story is over 78 months old

Lincoln ballet superstar wows elite school

“Only the most talented and dedicated students are accepted”
Lincoln Ballerina Ella Slingsby wowed judges at her audition Photo: Kate Parkes

A Lincoln ballerina has secured a place at an elite ballet school after wowing judges at her audition.

Ella Slingsby, 17, was one of only 36 pupils to secure a place at the Central School of Ballet in London.

Central is the only dance school in England to offer a unique ballet-focused qualification and graduates have gone on to perform with top dance companies such as the English National Ballet and the teams behind The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera.

The school attracts pupils from across the world, and hosts auditions in London, Leeds, Glasgow, America and even Japan.

Before securing her place at the elite school, Ella was a student at North Kesteven Academy in Lincoln and studied dance at the Sandy Gray School of Dance and Theatre.

Ella has been dancing since she was just four years old and studying at Central has been a dream come true.

Dancing at Central has been a dream come true for Ella Slingsby Photo: Karen Levesconte

Ella Slingsby said: “I have really enjoyed my first year at Central School of Ballet – it’s been hard work but fun too.

“We train at least six hours a day during the week and take classes on Saturday morning as well.

“You have to be dedicated to make it to the top of this profession and it’s my dream to be a dancer at one of the world’s leading dance companies when I graduate.

“The training is very challenging, similar to the training of the best athletes, but we are all motivated by the rewards of performing.

“Our year culminates in our end of year show which takes place onstage at The Stratford Circus Arts Centre on 12th and 13th July which gives us the opportunity to perform in front of friends, family and our fellow students.”

Heidi Hall, director of Central and an alumna of the school, said: “Only the most talented and dedicated students are accepted and must be determined to succeed.

“Central’s degree course is one of the most comprehensive dance programmes in the country, and enables our students to enjoy sustained careers in classical ballet, contemporary dance and musical theatre.

“A career as a professional dancer is possible for all young dancers with talent and we have a long history of accepting students from a diverse range of social and economic backgrounds.”