Ernest's ballet tuition

Aim: We are raising money to help pay for Ernest's tuition on a ballet and contemporary dance course at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts

Ernest started dancing three years ago when he was 9. He began with Irish dancing and loved it instantly. 

A year later his teacher encouraged him to try ballet and from that moment he was hooked. A few months later he auditioned for and gained a place in the boys class at the Classical Ballet Academy at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. 

Ernest's teachers have always told us he has something special; he is a natural performer and dances with a wonderful poise and grace. He auditioned earlier this year for the main school at the suggestion of his teacher there, and to our amazement was offered a place on their dance programme. He will spend half his time on a full spectrum of academic studies and the other half on learning classical ballet, contemporary dance and tap.

The progress he has made in such a few short years is astonishing to us. Ernest is just like his name: so earnest in what he does. He says he wants to be a dancer and we believe we could do it (he never stops dancing at home!) He always tries his hardest and listens to his teachers, but he's also inquisitive and thinks about how he's moving and dancing.

The school is kindly helping fund his place with an Award, but we still need to find a hefty sum every year for the next four years at least. On top of fees and insurance, there is a mountain of uniform, vocational dancewear and shoes, exam fees, school trips... Given the distance, Ernest needs to board at the school, making this an even more financially challenging situation.

However, we think that such opportunities come so rarely in life that we have to seize this, or it will be something we always regret. Chris and I are committed to working as hard as we can, and making every possible sacrifice, but it's going to be really challenging to afford everything. And of course Ernest has three brothers, Edward, Percy and Albert, who each have their own unique dreams and talents which we have to support.

If you are in a position to help us in any way, large or small, that would be incredible. If you are not, please don't give it a second thought – we would never want anyone to go short on our behalf. Thanks so much to all for just considering it. xxx

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 18th July 2025 at 11:35am