Pupils from Bradford have praised an “incredible” dance initiative that is showing them ballet is for everyone, regardless of gender or background.
Year four students, aged eight and nine, have been participating in the Chance to Dance programme, which is led by the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO).
Launched in 2023, the RBO’s initiative is part of a four-year project designed to make the arts more accessible to young people across Bradford. The project is set to culminate in a major performance, Sing, Dance, Leap, featuring 2,000 children in June to celebrate Bradford’s role as the UK City of Culture.
Last week, some of the pupils took to the stage at St George’s Hall to showcase what they had learned during the programme.
“I was a little nervous at first, but the more I did it, the more confident I became,” said John, one of the participants. He was surprised by the amount of “strength and discipline” required for ballet and stressed that ballet is not just for girls. “Some people thought it was only for girls, but it is also for boys,” he added.
Umayyah, a student at Thornbury Academy, shared that she didn’t expect to be chosen for the programme. “It started in year three, and some Chance to Dance instructors came to our school. They picked out the best dancers to continue.” She now finds joy in ballet, saying, “Ballet just makes me happy,” and wants to keep dancing long-term.
Noor, another participant, admitted to being nervous at the start but soon discovered a love for the art form. “It’s the teamwork, the respect in our sessions,” she said. “My favourite part is working with smooth, elegant movements and sharp precision.” She believes ballet is “absolutely perfect for anyone.”
Abdullah shared his initial fears, saying he was “scared” at first, but it eventually sparked his enthusiasm to learn new skills. “Ballet is not just for girls, it’s even for boys. It’s for anyone,” he said, expressing his aspiration to become a professional dancer.
Tom Whitehead, a Bradford native and principal character artist with the Royal Ballet, expressed his hopes for the project to make ballet more accessible to all. “It’s important to me, as I feel very fortunate to have found ballet and dance, but I know that, back then, it wasn’t available to everyone. It wasn’t the norm,” he explained.
He praised initiatives like Billy Elliot, Strictly Come Dancing, and Chance to Dance for bringing dance to young audiences and said the programme was worth the effort, even if it inspired just one child. “What I get from these children is a reminder of the essence and purity of movement, and it fills me with joy and pride,” he said. “I am really proud to come back to Bradford and hopefully inspire these young people to embrace the world of dance.”
Through projects like Chance to Dance, the Royal Ballet is helping to break down barriers and show that ballet truly is an art form for everyone.
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