Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Empowering Young Dancers Through Performance & Education
Established in 1973, our organisation has dedicated over five decades to nurturing young dance talent through education and public performance opportunities. We were inspired by the Church of England's Children's Society Annual Matinee and evolved from the Bournemouth Association of Ballet Schools into a registered charity with a volunteer-led committee. Our productions at the Pavilion Theatre have provided platforms for over 250 young dancers annually while our grant scheme since 2002 has supported students attending professional dance courses. We maintain strong partnerships with seven affiliated dance schools across the local area. Our volunteer trustees and school principals work without remuneration to deliver large-scale performances and educational initiatives.The grant scheme subsidises training at institutions like the Central School of Ballet and Urdang Academy, with funding allocations based on student need. Our historical connection to Christopher Shiner, the original musical arranger and conductor, remains a cornerstone of our musical heritage. We produce two major annual events that combine dance and music performances to raise funds for our educational programmes. Our charitable objectives focus specifically on dance education and public performance experience for children. The organisation operates as a company limited by guarantee, maintaining strict financial transparency.
Services
Ballet Education
Contemporary Dance
Grant Programmes
Summer Courses
Public Performances
Dance Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We offer subsidised professional training through our grant scheme established in 2002
- Our productions provide public performance experience for young dancers since 1975
- We maintain partnerships with seven affiliated dance schools across the region
- Our volunteer committee includes experienced dance professionals and educators
- We produce large-scale theatre productions at the historic Pavilion Theatre
What people say
Beneficial experience
Incredible time
Got so much out of it
Treasure opportunities
Exciting and beneficial
Services
Ballet Education
We provide structured ballet education programmes for children through affiliated dance schools. Our curriculum focuses on technical development and performance skills. Students gain valuable stage experience through annual productions.
Grant Programmes
Our grant scheme subsidises professional dance training courses for students. Funding allocations depend on available resources and applicant numbers. This initiative supports attendance at prestigious institutions like the Central School of Ballet.
Public Performances
We produce large-scale dance productions at the Pavilion Theatre featuring over 250 young performers. These events showcase various dance genres while raising funds for educational initiatives. Productions include both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Summer Courses
We facilitate access to professional summer dance courses at institutions like Urdang Academy. Our grants help cover tuition costs for selected students. These intensive programmes provide career development opportunities in dance.
Dance Workshops
We organise workshops that complement our main productions and training programmes. These sessions focus on specific dance techniques and performance skills. Workshops provide additional learning opportunities beyond regular classes.
People
Jan Mizen
Dancers Representative
Jan Mizen represents dance professionals in coordinating performance opportunities for young dancers. With extensive experience in dance education, she contributes to programme development and student support initiatives.
Pauline Hopkins
Chair
As Chair, Pauline Hopkins leads the volunteer committee overseeing WABS operations. She ensures strategic direction aligns with our charitable objectives while maintaining strong relationships with affiliated dance schools.
Alison Latter
Treasurer & Secretary
Alison Latter manages financial and administrative operations for WABS. Her dual role ensures proper financial stewardship and documentation of organisational activities while supporting grant programme administration.
Jane Farrell
Minute Secretary
Jane Farrell maintains official records and documentation for WABS. She ensures accurate minutes of committee meetings and supports transparency in organisational governance and decision-making processes.
Questions
How can students access the grant scheme?
Students apply through their dance teachers who distribute official application forms. Selection considers both financial need and artistic potential.
What performance opportunities do you offer?
We produce two major annual productions at the Pavilion Theatre featuring over 250 young dancers from affiliated schools.
Are your dance programmes open to all children?
Our affiliated schools provide dance education opportunities for children aged 5-18 through structured programmes and performance experiences.
How is WABS funded?
We operate through ticket sales from productions, donations, and our grant scheme which subsidises training costs for selected students.
What dance styles do you teach?
Our affiliated schools offer ballet, contemporary dance, and modern jazz instruction through both regular classes and intensive training programmes.
