Nicola Tarry
Classical Ballet Training
Nurturing Excellence
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Pre-Vocational Training
​Juniors Ages 7 and 8 years
Mids Ages 9 to 13 years inclusive
Seniors Ages 12 or 13 years and up
Nicola to assess the right class for the individual,
with their best training always in mind.
After School
Vocational Training
Day-time Weekday Dance-Tuition
In a small class with individual attention
Works Alongside Dancers’ Own Home-Schooling
Dancers come in from home or recommended home-stay
From School Years 8 to 13 inclusive
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For external and Nicola Tarry dancers alike:
Nicola Tarry Holiday Intensives
and
Nicola Tarry Sunday Workshops
Signed up to individually.
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In every case, Nicola Tarry provides high quality training in an environment that loves dance.
Enquire now at info@nicolatarryclassicalballettraining.co.uk
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New from 2026-2027:
The Nicola Tarry Vocational programme will expand to comprise:
Junior Vocationals (School Years 7 to 9) 3 days a week, and
Senior Vocationals (School Years 10 and above) 3 days a week
weekday daytime dance-training
to work alongside a dancer's own home-schooling
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The Nicola Tarry Classical Ballet Training curriculum focuses on classical ballet, but also incorporates modern and contemporary dance training to enable dancers to reach their potential, and find their place at a vocational dance school or in a dance career.
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Nicola also offers classical ballet-training Sunday Workshops and Holiday Intensives.
Nicola Tarry (the Principal and Founder) is a highly-regarded classical ballet teacher with an extensive background in classical ballet and in teaching.
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Nicola guides students to develop excellent ballet-technique (with strength, stamina, alignment, good posture, turn-out and feet-articulation), alongside artistry and performance, creativity and improvisation. She does so while nurturing a love of dance.
The Nicola Tarry community is aimed at students with a commitment to, and passion for, dance. Many aim to pursue vocational training at some stage (whether hers or elsewhere) and/or to pursue a career in dance.
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, Canada's National Ballet School, The European School of Ballet, English National Ballet School, Rambert, Central, Elmhurst, and Tring.
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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.
Her dancers have been winners of UK Young Dancer, Classical section, in 2023 and 2024 (with a runner-up too in 2024).​​
Nicola set up the Vocational side of the school in September 2023. It has already achieved great results and a community of flourishing dancers.​
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Nicola provides an environment where every dancer matters, and where their individual needs are met.
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Audition Support
On both the Pre-Vocational and Vocational programmes, the school supports vocational dance-school auditions, helping the students through the process.
End-of-Year Show
Nicola offers an end-of-year show on alternate years for Pre-Vocational and Vocational together. The 2025 show was held at the Lilian Baylis studio, Sadlers Wells. The intention of a show is that the students learn how to be a part of a show, to work on rehearsing, learning and developing choreography, putting their technique into practice, to work on artistry, performance, teamwork and work on spatial awareness.
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Ethos
Nicola is determined to do the best possible for her dancers, and believes always in providing a positive environment to work in, and encourages dancers to champion and support one another.
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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.
Pre-Vocational Training
Mids and Seniors
Nicola Tarry offers the following class groups:
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Juniors: ages 7 and 8 years
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Mids: ages 9 years to 12 years inclusive, and
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Seniors: ages 12 or 13 years plus.
The entry process for each group involves a trial class at Nicola
Places are limited (generally capped at 15 dancers).
Pre-Vocational Training offers after-school training designed at developing a classical dancer as a whole.
Focusing on classical ballet technique and body-conditioning, it also incorporates creative, performance, contemporary and/or modern.
It is intended that dancers take as much of the programme as possible in order to get the most out of it.
Classes are generally capped at 15 dancers
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Classical ballet is taught under the guidance of Nicola Tarry.
Contemporary dance (for Seniors) is taught by Emily Adams, and is increasingly important as a dance form and for vocational school entry.
Modern dance is taught by Karen King and Jess North, and works on a dancer’s power and strength.
All are highly experienced teachers with a passion for teaching.
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Pre-Vocational Programme Results
Nicola has an excellent record of Year 7 Royal Ballet School offers: 12 such offers in total over six years of applications.
The focus of Nicola’s classes is development as a dancer, and these results reflect this.
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Pre-vocational Programme Results for 2025 entry:
The 2025 results were as follow:
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Year 7 Offers (only 5 auditioning in total)
3 x Royal Ballet School
2 x Elmhurst Ballet School
4 x funded Tring Park
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Year 9 offer (only 1 auditioning)
Tring Park with the prestigious Eve Pettinger award.
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Year 10 offer (only 1 auditioning)
Tring Park
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Year 12 Offers (only 2 auditioning)
Elmhurst Ballet School
2 x funded Tring Park
2 x Acosta Dance
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Some dancers also choose not to audition and/or to continue on the Nicola Tarry Pre-Vocational programme or to enter the Nicola Tarry Vocational programme.
It is always about what is right for the individual dancer.
​​Juniors
Ages 7 and 8 years
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Wednesdays 5pm til 8pm during term-time
Mondays 5pm at 8pm are added at Nicola's discretion (when is best suits the individual's training)
Juniors are encouraged to attend Nicola Tarry Sunday Workshops
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Mids
Ages 9 to 13 inclusive​
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Mondays and Wednesdays 5pm til 8pm during term-time.
Mids are encouraged to attend Nicola Tarry Sunday Workshops
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Nicola has developed a holistic programme 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, 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.
Discipline is key but is developed in a nurturing and lively way. There are also elements of creativity and acting: with classes designed to inspire and nurture a real love of dance and performance.​
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Seniors
For ages 12 or 13 years plus
A move from Mids to Seniors, or entry into Mids or Seniors, will be at Nicola's discretion.
Nicola will always have best training for the individual dancer in mind, and the decisions will be made on that basis. ​
Tuesdays (ballet) and Thursdays (contemporary) 5pm til 8pm during term-time.
One or other class can be attended on an ongoing basis, but it is recommended that dancers take both classes.
Seniors are also encouraged to attend Nicola Tarry Sunday Workshops
In Seniors, contemporary dance is introduced to the programme.
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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.
Pre-Vocationals Term-Dates
Term-Dates are as follow but are subject to change at the discretion of the Principal:
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2025-2026
Provisional dates for 2025=2026
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Winter Term 2025
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Monday 8 September 2025: Term starts
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Monday 20 October to Sunday 2 November: half-term
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Friday 5 December 2025: last day of term.
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Spring Term 2026
Monday 5 January 2026: Term starts
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Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 2026: Half-Term
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Friday 27 March 2026: last day of term
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Summer Term 2026
Monday 20 April 2026: term starts
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Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026: half-term
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Friday 10 July 2026: last day of term​​
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Pre-Vocational 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.
Pre-Vocational Registration Fee
£240
A non-refundable registration fee of £240 is required to secure a place. This will be used as credit against the first fees payment.
Pre-Vocational Uniform
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Juniors
Girls
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance.
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Sky.
Convertible tights.
Boys
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance
White leotard
Navy blue ballet shorts
White ballet socks
White ballet shoes
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Mids
Girls
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance.
Wear Moi Galate leotard in Sky.
Convertible tights.
Boys
Nicola Tarry tracksuit top from Planet Dance
White leotard
Navy blue ballet shorts
White ballet socks
White ballet shoes
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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.
Convertible tights.
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The uniform is stocked by Planet Dance, and there is a discount for Nicola Tarry students (please ask the Office for the discount code).
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Vocational Training
School Years 8 to and including 13.
The entry process is via trial class with the current Vocationals at Nicola Tarry.
Places are limited.
Vocationals Class-Times
Class-Times for 2025-2026
Dance tuition from:
Tuesdays 12.30pm til 4pm
Wednesdays 12.30pm til 5pm
Thursdays 9am til 5pm
Fridays 9am til 3pm
during term-time
Vocationals
A thorough and challenging vocational training to work alongside dancers’ own home-schooling.
Small classes with individual attention to develop every dancer's potential.
Vocational Training offers weekday daytime dance-training (Tuesday to Friday) to work alongside a dancer's own academic home-schooling. It covers dance-tuition only.
The training is in a small class with individual corrections and attention, and runs from School Years 8 to 13 (inclusive).
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Dancers come in daily from home or from a recommended home-stay.
Swanley train station is nearby and there are trains direct from London.
Nicola can recommend home-stays where necessary.
A holistic dance programme designed to enable every dancer to achieve their potential.
The focus is on classical ballet technique, body-conditioning, stamina and performance. There are regular classes in contemporary and modern.
Creative and improvisation are also included..
Nicola Tarry teaches ballet, with Victoria Hewitt (former Royal Ballet soloist) as a regular teacher.
Contemporary is taught by Emily Adams, and Karen King teaches modern.
Vocational training also includes teaching from guest-teachers who are world-class dance experts.
Jenny Tattersall was a regular guest-teacher for 2024-2025.
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Where considered beneficial to the dancers, Vocationals will take part in external workshops.
For 2024-2025, dancers visited Acosta Dance and Jasmin Vardimon for specific workshops.
Dancers are encouraged to take up associate programme places, and to attend international summer schools and competitions.
Nicola Tarry supports YAGP entries and auditions. ​
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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 continue into Nicola Tarry Upper School and ultimately to pursue a dance career.​​​​
Vocational Programme Results for 2025
9 students auditioned (in alphabetical order):
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Year 12 Offers (8 auditioned)
Multiple 16+ offers for Acosta Dance
American Ballet Theatre School
BalletMet
Ballet West
2 x Brussels International Ballet School
3 x Boston Ballet School
3 x Elmhurst Ballet School
English National Ballet School
European School of Ballet
Hamburg Ballet
Italia Conti
Miami City Ballet School
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with scholarship
5 x Tring Park, including 3 x funded and one bursary
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18+ Offers (one Upper School student auditioned)
Acosta Dance
Central School of Ballet with scholarship
Rambert
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There is also the option ​​to continue into the Nicola Tarry Vocational Upper School.
In every case, Nicola is looking to find what works best for that particular dancer for them to achieve a career in dance.
At Nicola Tarry, it is all about the individual and what works best for them.
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Vocationals Registration Fee
£480
A non-refundable registration fee of £480 is required to secure a place. This will be used as credit against the first fees payment.
Vocationals Term-Dates
Term-Dates are as follow but are subject to change at the discretion of the Principal:
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2025-2026
Provisional dates for 2025=2026
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Winter Term 2025
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Tuesday 9 September 2025: Term starts
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Monday 20 October to Monday 3 November: half-term
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Friday 5 December 2025: last day of term.
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Spring Term 2026
Tuesday 6 January 2026: Term starts
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Saturday 14 February to Monday 23 February 2026: Half-Term
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Friday 27 March 2026: last day of term
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Summer Term 2026
Tuesday 21 April 2026: term starts
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Saturday 23 May to Monday 1 June 2026: half-term
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Friday 10 July 2026: 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 or hoodie direct from Nicola, please email the office.
Wear Moi Galate in Burgundy, for everyday wear.
Wear Moi Candide leotard in Burgundy, for guest-teacher visits.
Convertible tights.
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Stocked by the Planet Dance website, Nicola Tarry students have a discount (please ask the Office for the discount code).
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Nicola Tarry Sunday Workshops
Challenging classical ballet workshops taught by Nicola Tarry.
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Small classes (generally capped at 15 dancers) and with individual attention and corrections.
Mids: School years 3 to 7
Seniors: School Years 8 and above.
Sessions are signed-up to individually.
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Senior Sessions are from 10am til 12.30pm and cost £60 per session.
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Mids sessions are from 1pm til 3pm (watching from 2.30pm) are £48 per session.
Please email info@nicolatarryclassicalballettraining.co.uk
Sunday Dates
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Dancers can sign up to individual sessions
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£60 Seniors, 10am til 12.30pm
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£48 Juniors, 1pm til 3pm
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WINTER TERM 2025
21 September
5 October
19 October
2 November
16 November
30 November
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​Nicola Tarry teaching
Generally limited to 15 dancers per workshop.
Sibling discount available
NICOLA TARRY INTENSIVES
Taught by Nicola, small classes focus on classical ballet technique, body-conditioning and performance.
Individual corrections and feedback.
2024-2025
The Summer 2025 Intensives
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School Years 6 and above
Tuesday 26 August to Thursday is 28 August 2025 inclusive 10am til 4pm daily
Taught by Nicola herself, a small class focussing on body-conditioning, classical ballet technique and performance. With individual corrections and feedback.
£300 in total.
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School Years 6 and above
Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August 2025 inclusive 10am til 4pm daily
Taught by Nicola herself, a small class focussing on body-conditioning, classical ballet technique and performance. With individual corrections and feedback.
£300 in total. ​
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2025-2026
Winter Intensive: Audition Prep
School Years 9, 10, 11 and 12
29 and 30 December 2025, 10am til 4pm daily
Taught by Nicola, she will focus on classical ballet technique, body-conditioning and performance, specifically in preparation for audition season.
£225 in total. £112.50 non-refundable deposit required to secure a place.
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In each case, generally limited to 15 dancers per intensive.
Please email info@nicolatarryclassicalballettraining.co.uk for bookings and enquiries.
Location
Classes take place at The Old School, School Lane, West Kingsdown TN15 6JN
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Swanley and Borough Green rail stations are nearby, with trains to and from London
​​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: