The Miriam Riseborough School of Ballet has been established for over 30 years. The school’s original founder and principal, Maria Barinowsky, inspired the current principal, Miriam Riseborough, to pursue a successful vocation in ballet teaching.  Miriam Riseborough School of Ballet follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus for ballet teaching and each year enters students into graded and vocational examinations and class awards. We are proud of our 100% pass rate and that results achieved by our students are typically high merits to distinctions. Over the years the school has nurtured students to always achieve the best of their ability and has encouraged students to become professional dancers and also seen students create successfully dance schools.

Graded Examinations

We offer class awards and graded examinations from Pre Primary through to Grade 8. As a student progresses through the grades they will not only become a more technical dancer but also a more mature dancer as they improve on their musicality and showcase their personality through their interpretation of the syllabus. After each successful exam students receive a certificate and medal from the RAD in recognition of their achievement. In these graded exams from Grade 1 onwards students also learn character dances from countries around the world to compliment their ballet and broaden their cultural awareness. Character dance is based on traditional folk dances of a country and the foundation steps learnt are often seen in traditional ballets such as Swan Lake and Nutcracker. Successful examinations from Grade 6 onwards in the RAD syllabus are recognised by UCAS and a student will receive UCAS points which vary depending on their exam result. See below table from the RAD which explains how the UCAS points are awarded:

Exam	Pass	Merit	Distinction
Grade 6	8	10	12
Grade 7	12	14	16
Grade 8	16	18	20

 

Vocational Examinations

We offer vocational examination training and coaching from Intermediate Foundation through to Advanced 2. Vocational examinations are slightly different to graded examinations as they don’t include character dance. These exams are created to prepare students for a career in ballet and are a prerequisite for students who wish to pursue a career in performing or teaching ballet. Vocational exams incorporate pointe work for female students and more technically demanding allegro for male students. Successful vocational examinations in the RAD syllabus are recognised by UCAS and a student will receive UCAS points which vary depending on their exam result. See below table from the RAD which explains how the UCAS points are awarded:

Exam	Pass	Merit	Distinction
Intermediate	8	14	20
Advanced Foundation	16	20	24

 

Vocational Training

Students who wish to pursue a career in performing or teaching ballet are encouraged to apply to vocational ballet schools. Prior to attending full time training we are fortunate that there are a number of associate programmes in the UK which provide a taster of what is expected during full time training to become a ballerina. The Miriam Riseborough School of Ballet has students past and present accepted into:

• Royal Ballet School JA (Junior Associate)
• Royal Ballet School MA (Mid Associate)
• Ballet Cymru Associates
• English Youth National Ballet

Students can be accepted to full time ballet school from the age of 11. The UK has many world-renowned vocational ballet schools and teaching establishments and the Miriam Riseborough School of Ballet has been successful in supporting students to get into many of these establishments. Past students have been accepted to:

• Royal Ballet School (Lower School)
• Hammond
• Elmhurst
• Ballet West
• Central School of Ballet
• Royal Academy of Dance
• Laine Theatre Arts

Following vocational training past students to date have also performed and toured with:

• Ballet West
• Russian Ballet London
• Royal Ballet