Royal Ballet School Fees

Aim

To raise enough money for my 11 year old son Frankie to take up his offer of a place to train full time at the Royal Ballet School.

Hello, my name is Lindsey and I am a widowed, single mum of two from Hertfordshire. My 11 year old son Frankie has been offered a place to train at the Royal Ballet School as a result of a tough audition process and against stiff competition. Each year more than 1000 young people compete for just 24 places. This is an amazing achievement.

Frankie was first spotted by local ballet teacher, Louisa Bailey, a former Royal Ballet student and Principal at local dance school, LJ Dance, on his 6th birthday. Frankie was jumping with sheer excitement outside Weston Village Hall whilst waiting for his birthday party to start. Louisa spotted some dance potential, Lindsey signed him up for lessons and his ballet journey began. From that chance meeting and his initial training with Louisa at LJ Dance, he was offered a place to join the Junior Associate Programme at the Royal Ballet School at 8 years old. In the last two years he has been given the opportunity to audition and subsequently perform with the Company of the Royal Ballet in Crystal Pite's 'Light of Passage' on the Royal Opera House stage. He has also performed with London Children's Ballet in 'Anne of Green Gables' at the Peacock Theatre in London's West End. More recently, he has played the Lead Role of Luke in Roald Dahls 'The Witches' at the National Theatre in London and has just auditioned and been cast in a leading role in London Children's Ballets adaptation of 'The Secret Garden' to be performed at the Peacock Theatre in June/July 2024.

This training and experience along with hard work, talent and determination born of his passion has resulted in him being offered a place to train, full time at the Royal Ballet Lower School at White Lodge, in London’s Richmond Park

Frankie is completely in love with ballet and has worked so hard. To be recognised by one of the world’s greatest ballet schools means everything to him. It is such an honour to have been given this place and to think that he will be at the same ballet school as Margot Fonteyn, Darcey Bussell and Wayne Sleep is amazing.  We are grateful to have been given some assistance from the DfE but it’s not enough for him to go. If anyone would like to help us further we would be so grateful.

COULD YOU HELP SUPPORT FRANKIE?

A place at the Royal Ballet School costs over £36,000 per year. The Government’s Department for Education (DfE) offers UK students means-tested support through its Music and Dance Scheme. There is, however, a substantial sum that has to be met by me. The grant does not cover all of the School’s fees nor uniform, music lessons or trips home. Frankie has dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer since he first put on ballet shoes, If you could support Frankie by making a donation I have no doubt these dreams will become his reality. Alternatively you can contact me for further information at Frankie.balletfunding@gmail.com

This project successfully funded on 21st April 2024