ORPHEUS: A Whole School Performance

Elmhurst Ballet School presents: Orpheus.

Orpheus, Elmhurst Ballet School's exciting summer performance programme for 2026, weaves together a rich blend of contemporary and classical storytelling through dance. Spotlighting the talents of students from both the Lower and Upper School, and the graduating Class of 2026, Elmhurst Ballet Company, the performance celebrates the extraordinary breadth of talent across the school.

Through a wide variety of choreography and dance styles, students from every year group have collaborated with both Elmhurst tutors and leading guest artists. These creative partnerships have given students invaluable insight into the choreographic process, while further developing their artistry and performance skills. Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz will all feature throughout the programme, showcasing the versatility and ambition of Elmhurst students.

Contemporary dance takes centre stage with Year 11 students performing a newly created work developed in collaboration with former Motionhouse dancer and Rehearsal Director, Junior Cunningham. Year 13 students will perform Invictus, a brand-new contemporary ballet work created with choreographer Marika Brussel, marking her first collaboration with Elmhurst.

Ballet highlights include excerpts from The Dream, one of Frederick Ashton’s celebrated masterpieces of British ballet, as well as Dance of the Argonauts from David Bintley’s The Orpheus Suite, performed by Year 12 students. Younger students from Years 7, 8, and 9 will present The Great Race of the Zodiac, an original ballet choreographed by Northern Ballet dancer, George Liang.

Further demonstrating the diversity of performance at Elmhurst, Ascension - a jazz work by award-winning choreographer and international dance teacher Dane Bates - returns to the stage following its acclaimed premiere in March. Created for the graduating students of Elmhurst Ballet Company, the piece offers a powerful celebration of their final year.

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Curtain up is at 7pm. Please note that doors to the main school building will not open before 6:30pm.

Parking: Parking on-site is limited. There is further parking available a short walking distance away from Elmhurst at The MAC/Cannon Hill Park.

Box Office: For any box office enquiries, please email boxoffice@elmhurstdance.co.uk - box office is manned between the hours of 3pm - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Access: For guests requiring assistance with accessible seating and/or access parking, please email your requirements to development@elmhurstdance.co.uk.