A total of 103 students from Centre Stage School of Dance and Performing Arts were entered in the RAD exams from Primary to Grade 5, ranging in age from five to 15, and passed with ‘flying colours’ achieving high merits and distinctions.

Principal Zoe Mather, herself a classically trained dancer, said, “Our ballet students worked incredibly hard in preparation for their RAD examinations and it is their commitment and desire to do their best that has achieved such incredible results. We had students from across the grades entered for the exams and I knew that they were all capable of doing brilliantly. I am just so glad that the examiner saw that on the day. They all shine and I am so proud.”

Zoe encourages anyone interested in ballet to have a go. “The benefits to young people are huge. Dance is one of the best and most enjoyable forms of exercise and fantastic for developing confidence.”

Centre Stage offers the opportunity to try ballet from the age of just 2½, with all classes (even at the youngest age) taught by Royal Academy of Dance trained teachers. Age is no barrier though because Zoe claims, “You shouldn’t be concerned if you think you are coming to ballet late. You can join at any age or grade and not be disadvantaged.”