Nicola Tarry Classical Ballet Training
Nurturing Excellence
Nicola Tarry Mids and Seniors:
The 10-Hour Program
Mids Age 7 to 12 years inclusive
Seniors Age 13 years and up
After School and Saturdays
Nicola Tarry Vocationals:
The 20-Hour Program
Day-time Weekday Dance-Tuition
Works Alongside Dancers’ Own Home-Schooling
From School Years 8 to 13 inclusive
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Nicola Tarry Intensives
and
Nicola Tarry Sunday Associates
2 Sundays a month
Nicola Tarry offers classical ballet training in a number of ways.
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Nicola Tarry Mids and Seniors (the 10-Hour Program) offers a training program in after-school hours and on Saturdays. This is a 10-hour program which principally focuses on classical ballet technique and body-conditioning, and also incorporates creative, performance, contemporary and modern. ISTD exams are encouraged.
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Nicola Tarry Vocationals (the 20-Hour Program) offers a dance program during school-time, to work alongside a dancer's own academic home-schooling. From School Years 8 to 13 (inclusive). This is a 20-hour program, which focuses on classical ballet technique and body-conditioning, together with performance, creative, improvisation, contemporary and modern. Vocationals includes teaching from guest teachers who are world-class dance experts. ISTD exams are encouraged.
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Nicola Tarry (the Principal and Founder) is a highly-regarded classical ballet teacher with an extensive background in classical ballet and in teaching. She has developed these programs to enable each student to maximise their dance-potential with hard-work and commitment.
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As well as guiding students to develop excellent ballet-technique, with strength, stamina, alignment, good posture, turn-out and feet-articulation, Nicola encourages a love of dance and performance, of creativity and improvisation.
The Nicola Tarry community is mostly made up of students aiming to enter vocational dance-school at some stage and/or to pursue a career in dance. However, there are some who simply love to dance. In all cases, Nicola Tarry gives them the chance to be the best that they can be.
In 2017 Nicola launched her own dance school. Since then, Nicola has helped many dancers to achieve their goal of going to vocational schools such as The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge, Canada's National Ballet School, The European School of Ballet, The English National School, Rambert, Kings International, Central, Elmhurst, and Tring.
Nicola has also helped dancers to achieve placements in Summer Schools such as The Royal Ballet School, Princess Grace, John Cranko, Masters Arizona, English National Ballet, Rambert, Canada National Ballet School and European Ballet School.
Nicola believes in providing a positive environment to work in, and encourages dancers to champion and support one another.
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Mids and Seniors
The 10-Hour Program
Classes are split by age between Mids (age 7 to 12 years inclusive) and Seniors (age 13 and upwards); there is around 10 hours’ dance-tuition per week for each group. For Seniors, there is the option of additional ballet per week.
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Ballet is taught under the guidance of Nicola Tarry. Contemporary dance (for Seniors) is taught by Emily Adams. Modern dance is taught by Karen King and Jess North. Nicola Tarry also has visiting teachers on occasion. Such teachers have included Jenny Tattersall, Anita Young MBE, Nigel West and Victoria Hewitt.
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Nicola offers the chance to take ISTD exams.
Nicola Tarry enters the RTWDF festival each year and offers an end-of-year show where possible.
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Nicola Tarry supports YGP entries, where she feels it is beneficial for the dancer.
Nicola Tarry supports its dancers in their vocational dance-school auditions and their summer dance-school auditions, with Nicola providing audition-preparation.
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Vocationals
The 20-Hour Program
Classes take place on weekdays, Tuesday to Friday inclusive. Thursday and Fridays are full-day dance-tuition, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays are half-days.
From School Year 8 through to (and including) Year 13, the programme offers dance-tuition only.
20 hours of dance-tuition per week, with ballet taught principally by Nicola Tarry herself. She is supported by Emily Adams for Contemporary and Karen King and Jess North for Modern, and has world-renowned guest teachers regularly.
Recent guest teachers include Jenny Tattersall (teaching twice-weekly for the Summer 2024 term), Victoria Hewitt (teaching weekly in Winter 2024 term) Sarah Wildor and Sian Murphy.
ISTD exams are covered and dancers are encouraged to take up associate program places, and to attend international summer schools and competitions.
Nicola Tarry supports YGP entries.
Vocationals will take part in external classes together and workshops. Recent outings have been to the Acosta Centre and to Jasmin Vardimon.
Nicola is determined to do the best possible for her dancers.
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Nicola Tarry Intensives
Nicola Tarry also offers Nicola Tarry intensives taught by Nicola herself. They are open to outside students as well as the Nicola Tarry dancers. Places are limited.
Sunday Associates Program
Two Sunday classes per month. Open to outside students as well as Nicola Tarry dancers.
Whether it is on her 10-Hour Program or her 20-Hour Program, or during her intensives or her Sunday Associates program, Nicola Tarry wants the best for each and every dancer in an environment that loves dance.
Enquire now at info@nicolatarryclassicalballettraining.co.uk Places are limited.
Our Principal
Nicola Tarry
Principal
Nicola was born in Dartford; she trained for many years as an elite gymnast and discovered a love of ballet at the age of 13.
At age 16 Nicola joined The Royal Ballet School; she then trained there until her graduation.
Professionally, Nicola danced with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet; she also toured extensively throughout Europe with Wiener Ballet Theatre.
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As life progressed, Nicola discovered a passion for teaching, and worked her way to become Head of Dance at The Centre Performing Arts College. Under her guidance, The Centre PAC students were extremely successful, and many have gone on to have incredible careers in all aspects of theatre.
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Given her background in (and passion for) both ballet and teaching, it was only a matter of time (2017) before Nicola opened her own dance school aimed at helping aspiring classical dancers to achieve their aim.
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Students have travelled from the USA and Japan to be taught by Nicola and to experience her approach to coaching young aspiring dancers.
Many students who have trained with Nicola are now in leading vocational dance-schools.
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Nicola takes an individual approach to her students. She takes the time to understand who they are and how they work, and she genuinely wants the best for each and every student.
Our Patron
Edward Watson MBE
Our Patron, Edward Watson MBE
Edward Watson MBE
Edward Watson MBE is a phenomenal dancer, who trained at The Royal Ballet School, before graduating into The Royal Ballet in 1994. In 2005, Edward was promoted to Principal at The Royal Ballet, a position which he held for 15 years. In 2020, he joined the school's team of coaches as a Repetiteur.
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Edward is a huge inspiration to so many dancers. He has the ability to take on a character and to convey in full the inner workings of their mind and soul through dance. He gives himself totally to the character and is unafraid in so-doing. He has displayed great versatility throughout his dance career, taking on the choreography of greats throughout the ages, such as Sir Kenneth Macmillan, Sir Frederick Ashton, Wayne McGregor CBE, Christopher Wheeldon and Arthur Pita. He gives dancers the courage to challenge themselves and to push the boundaries of dance.
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We are enormously honoured to have Edward Watson MBE as our patron.
Mids and Seniors
The 10-Hour Program
Nicola Tarry offers two class groups:
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Mids: age 7 years to 12 years inclusive, and
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Seniors: age 13 years plus.
The entry process for each group involves a trial class at Nicola Tarry.
Places are limited.
Mids: The 10-Hour Program
For ages 7 years to 12 years inclusive.
Mondays and Wednesdays 5pm until 8pm, and Saturdays 10am until 1.30pm during term-time.
Nicola has developed a 10-hour program based on the fundamentals of ballet, with a focus on posture, turn-out, correct alignment, articulation of feet, and strength in the abdominals, glutes and back.
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The classes are key to ensuring that students are prepared to enter vocational schools aged 11 or 12, and there is an emphasis on nurturing young talent.
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Strengthening and conditioning the correct muscles allows classical training to begin. All aspects of class are taught developing adage, pirouettes and allegro. Pointe-work is introduced slowly and carefully.
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Discipline is key but is developed in a nurturing and lively way. There are also elements of creativity and acting; with the classes designed to inspire and nurture a real love of dance and performance.
Seniors: The 10-Hour Program
For ages 13 years plus
In Seniors, contemporary dance is introduced to the 10-hour program.
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The world of ballet has changed dramatically, and students need to discover different ways of moving.
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The Seniors ballet classes have more focus on extensions and on picking up choreography quickly; all while continuing to use correct alignment and to progress the students' technique. The classes are much more intense: so that students develop stamina.
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The students learn a vast vocabulary of steps, and are expected to be highly disciplined and self-motivated in order to achieve a place at a vocational dance school either in year 10 or year 12.
Extra Mondays
Seniors can join Monday ballet class from 5pm to 8pm for extra ballet and body-conditioning. This is an optional extra.
An optional extra
Mids and Seniors Term-Dates
Provisionally 2024-2025
Term-Dates are as follow but are subject to change at the discretion of the Principal:
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Provisional dates for 2024-2025
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Winter Term 2024: Key Dates
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Monday 9 September 2024: term starts.​
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Monday 21 October 2024 to Saturday 2 November 2024 (inclusive): no dance, half-term.
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Friday 6 December 2024: last day of term.
Spring Term 2025: Key Dates
Monday 6 January 2025: term starts
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Saturday 25 January 2025: no dance class but Miss King is available to Nicola Tarry students for privates
Saturday 15 February 2025 to Sunday 23 February 2025 (inclusive): possible dates for RTWDF (Royal Tunbridge Wells Dance Festival). There will be rehearsals and festival attendance but no normal lessons and, for the purposes of payments and/or notice, this week counts as half-term.
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Saturday 22 February 2025: group rehearsals
Monday 24 February 2025: no dance
Tuesday 25 February 2025: no dance
Friday 4 April 2025: last day of term.
(Note: Easter Sunday 20 April 2025)
Summer Term 2025: Key Dates
Tuesday 22 April 2025: term starts
Monday 5 May 2025: no dance (Bank Holiday)
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Tuesday 6 May 2025: Mids join Seniors for class from 5pm until 8pm.
Saturday 24 May 2025 to Sunday 1 June 2025 (inclusive): no dance, half-term.
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Saturday 5 July 2025: possibly no dance TBC
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Sunday 6 July 2025: Nicola Tarry Summer Show, Lilian Baylis studio, Sadlers Wells
Saturday 12 July 2025: last day of term.
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Mids and Seniors Notice
Half-A-Term’s Notice Required
Half-a-term’s notice must be given and paid for if lessons are to be discontinued.
Lessons missed by dancers will not be deducted from the bill.
Mids and Seniors Registration Fee
£240 (inclusive of VAT)
A non-refundable registration fee of £240 (inclusive of VAT) is required to secure a place. This will be used as credit against the first fees payment.
Mids and Seniors Uniform
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Mids:
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance.
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Sky.
Convertible tights.
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Seniors:
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top direct from Nicola (please email).
Nicola Tarry hoodie (optional) direct from Nicola (please email).
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Navy.
Bloch contemporary socks.
Convertible tights.
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The uniform is stocked by Planet Dance, and there is a discount for Nicola Tarry students (please ask Admin for the discount code).
Vocationals
The 20-Hour Program
School Year 8 and above.
The entry process is via trial class at Nicola Tarry.
Places are limited.
Vocationals Class-Times
Class-Times from September 2024
From September 2024, class-times will be as follow. They are broadly the same for now.
Dance-tuition as follows:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12.30pm til 4pm
Thursdays 9am til 5pm
Fridays 9am til 4pm
during term-time.
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On half-days, dancers are encouraged to arrive early (from 12 noon) to eat their packed lunches together.
Vocationals Ethos
Longer-hours to work alongside dancers’ own home-schooling, with regular top-tier guest teachers.
A 20-hour program with more access to world-renowned guest teachers.
Dance tuition takes place in the day-time on weekdays, and works alongside dancers’ own home-schooling.
Classical ballet, body-conditioning, stamina and performance is the focus, but there is work too in contemporary dance, modern, creative and improvisation.
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Nicola takes the time to really find what works for each individual dancer, in order to give them the best possible chance of a dance career.
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The dancers are expected to be driven, highly disciplined and self-motivated in order to gain a place at a vocational dance school either in year 10 or year 12, and/or to pursue a dance career.
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Nicola can recommend an independent home-schooling room, which is open 9am til 12 noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, where Nicola Tarry dancers can home-study together within walking distance of the studio. Please ask Admin for details.
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Nicola can also recommend home-stays where necessary.
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Vocationals Registration Fee
£480 (inclusive of VAT)
A non-refundable registration fee of £480 (inclusive of VAT) is required to secure a place. This will be used as credit against the first fees payment.
Vocationals Term-Dates
2024-2025
Term-Dates are as follow but are subject to change at the discretion of the Principal:
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Provisional dates for 2024-2025
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Winter Term 2024: Key Dates
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Tuesday 10 September 2024: term starts.​
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Tuesday 22 October 2024 to Saturday 2 November 2024 (inclusive): no dance, half-term.
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Friday 6 December 2024: last day of term.
Spring Term 2025: Key Dates
Tuesday 7 January 2025: term starts
Saturday 15 February 2025 to Tuesday 25 February 2025 (inclusive): half-term, no dance.
Elite will take part in RTWDF (Royal Tunbridge Wells Dance Festival). There will be rehearsals and festival attendance but no normal lessons and, for the purposes of payments and/or notice, this week counts as half-term.
Friday 4 April 2025: last day of term.
(Note: Easter Sunday 20 April 2025)
Summer Term 2025: Key Dates
Tuesday 22 April 2025: term starts
Saturday 24 May 2025 to Monday 2 June 2025 (inclusive): no dance, half-term.
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Saturday 5 July 2025: possibly no dance TBC
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Sunday 6 July 2025: Nicola Tarry Summer Show, Lilian Baylis studio, Sadlers Wells
Friday 11 July 2025: last day of term.
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Vocationals Notice
One Full Term’s Notice Required
One full term’s notice must be given and paid for if lessons are to be discontinued.
Lessons missed by dancers will not be deducted from the bill.
Vocationals Uniform
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Nicola Tarry tracksuit top direct from Nicola, please email.
Nicola Tarry hoodie (optional) available from Nicola, please email.
Wear Moi Galate in Burgundy, for everyday wear.
Wear Moi Candide leotard in Burgundy, for guest-teacher visits.
Bloch contemporary socks.
Convertible tights.
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Stocked by the Planet Dance website, Nicola Tarry students have a discount (please ask Admin for the discount code).
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Sunday Associates: Twice-Monthly Term-Time Sunday Classes
For external students as well as Nicola Tarry dancers.
Nicola Tarry and Victoria Hewitt Sunday classes.
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Nicola teaches one Sunday a month, and Victoria Hewitt (former Royal Ballet soloist) teaches one other Sunday a month.
Both are focussed on classical ballet technique, in small classes and with individual corrections.
Mids: School years 4 to 7
Seniors: School Years 8 and above.
Sessions are signed-up to either termly or individually.
They are for Nicola Tarry students and external dancers.
Senior Sessions are from 10am til 12.30pm and cost £60 per session.
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Mids sessions are from 1pm til 3pm and are £48 per session.
Please email info@nicolatarryclassicalballettraining.co.uk
Spring Term 2025
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Dancers can sign up to individual sessions
£60 Seniors, 10am til 12.30pm
£48 Juniors, 1pm til 3pm
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SPRING TERM
26 January 2025 Victoria Hewitt
9 March 2025 Nicola Tarry
23 March 2025 Victoria Hewitt
6 April 2025 Nicola Tarry
27 April 2025 Victoria Hewitt
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WORKSHOPS
NICOLA TARRY INTENSIVES
Nicola Tarry intensives are held in high regard.
Nicola teaches small classes which focus on classical ballet technique, body-conditioning and performance.
Dancers are treated as individuals, with individual corrections and feedback.
Dancers return time-and-again for these intensive workshops, and they tend to sell out quickly.
NICOLA TARRY INTENSIVES 2024-2025
The Spring 2025 Intensive
Monday 14 April to Wednesday 16 April 2025 inclusive, 10am til 4pm daily
School Years 6 and above
Taught by Nicola herself, a small class focussing on body-conditioning, classical ballet technique and performance. With individual corrections and feedback.£354 in total (inclusive of VAT). £177 deposit to secure a place, remaining £177 on or before 1 April 2025.
The Summer 2025 Intensive 1
Tuesday 26 August to Thursday is 28 August 2025 inclusive 10am til 4pm daily
The Summer 2025 Intensive 2
Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August 2025 inclusive 10am til 4pm daily
In each case, School Years 6 and above
Taught by Nicola herself, a small class focussing on body-conditioning, classical ballet technique and performance. With individual corrections and feedback.
£354 per three day intensive (inclusive of VAT). £177 deposit to secure a place, remaining £177 on or before 1 August 2025.
£690 (inclusive of VAT) for the Summer Intensives 1 and 2 together, six-days. £345 non-refundable deposit, and £345 final payment on or before 1 August 2025.
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Please email info@nicolatarryclassicalballettraining.co.uk for bookings and enquiries.
Location
Classes take place at The Old School, School Lane, West Kingsdown TN15 6JN
​​Instagram
Mids and Seniors @balletwithnicolatarry
Vocationals @nicolatarryelite​
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For all enquiries and/or bookings, please contact us on
Address:
The Old School, School Lane, West Kingsdown, TN15 6JN. UK
Email: