Elmhurst Ballet School announces 2025 summer performances

Elmhurst Ballet School, in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, has announced details of its summer run of shows under the umbrella title, Voices & Virtues.

Elmhurst’s summer performances are the highlight of the School calendar and a showcase of the extraordinary dedication and passion Elmhurst students apply to their training throughout the year.

For six performances between 4 and 10 July 2025 in the School’s studio theatre, the performances of Voices & Virtues are split into Lower School & Elmhurst Young Dancers, Upper School, and Whole School shows.

These are the students’ final performances before moving upwards in the school or, for the graduate year Elmhurst Ballet Company, into professional dance employment. 

The shows allow audiences of family, friends, supporters, and ballet enthusiasts the opportunity to see the rising ballet stars of the future. 

Since 2004, Elmhurst Ballet School has been situated in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

HRH The Queen is Patron of the School, Sir Wayne McGregor is the School’s President, and Carlos Acosta CBE is Vice President. The School celebrated its centenary in 2023.

Artistic director Robert Parker has chosen a bold selection of works to showcase the technical prowess and artistry of the School’s students, ranging in age from 11 to 19.

This season celebrates the breadth of the art form – celebrating the duality of dynamic, fresh ideas alongside deeply respected traditions.

In a range of choreography and styles of dance, Voices & Virtues has allowed each year group of students to work with both Elmhurst tutors and external artists.

The privilege of working with external artists means that the students have all experienced the creative process first hand.

Ballet, Contemporary, Commercial, and Jazz will all be on display during Voices & Virtues, highlighting the versatility of Elmhurst students. 

The Voices programme will platform the influences and visions of the next generation of dance creatives, listening closely to the input of Elmhurst students as they collaborate with pioneering choreographers.

Eyes will be on contemporary dance with the year 13 students who have worked with Cuban choreographer Miguel Altunaga on a new piece titled Ek.sta.sis. Altunaga makes a welcome return to Elmhurst after the success of last year’s performance of City of a Thousand Trades in the summer shows.

For the very first time, Commercial dance is featured in Elmhurst Ballet School’s summer shows.

Choreographer Rachel Hunt, whose commercial work is bringing a fresh, modern edge to the students’ training, has worked with year 8 students on a piece called Welcome to Hollywood! And contemporary piece A Line That We Crossed makes a return to the stage after delighting audiences in Birmingham and London earlier this year in Elmhurst Ballet Company’s shows. 

Before the curtains close on Elmhurst Ballet School’s 2025 season, the Whole School performances will culminate in the joyous Grand Défilé, bringing all 190 students at the School together on stage.