A former world‑leading ballerina has become the new patron of a Cwmbran dance school.
Anita Young MBE, honoured in 2019 for her services to classical ballet and dance education, travelled from London to attend Appleby Dance’s annual awards night on Saturday 4 July. The school teaches ballet, modern and musical theatre under the direction of professional dancer Ella‑Louise Appleby.
Ella‑Louise saw Anita at a British Ballet Organisation event.
She said: “Anita approached me afterwards [after she danced]. I’d seen her previously in the day and said ‘oh I haven’t seen you in so long, how are you, you know, it’d be really great to catch up’ and before we could do that she watched us perform.
“She came running up, and she was like ‘tell me more about what you’re up to now,’ and I told her about my performing and the school, and she was really interested in hearing about that. And then she said, ‘please let me let me come and be patron. I’d love to be part of the family.’”
The announcement was made during the awards night at a hall in Griffithstown, where Ella‑Louise said “jaws dropped” as her school’s dancers and families learned of Anita’s new role.
“It’s really special. We’re so fortunate to have her,” she said. “Really exciting for the young dancers as well, she’s got so much good advice and she’s so upbeat, she’s so positive. Just what we need. She came from London and she had the best time and she’s looking forward to coming back.
‘Wealth of experience’
“Her accomplishments, her performances and her career speak for themselves, but I think what’s going to be really valuable is her wealth of experience and knowledge and passion.
“She’s so passionate, but she’s so down to earth and has got a lot of love for the people who do the dancing. She’s already been so supportive. Her energy is just so infectious.”
Anita Young trained at The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet Company in 1968, performing in many prominent roles. She later became Ballet Mistress at Northern Ballet Theatre and taught juniors at The Royal Ballet School. She has also worked as a guest teacher for schools and companies around the world.
ENDS
she was in the Royal ballet she’s very accomplished dancer in herself but through her career, she’s been Ballet Mistress with Northern Ballet Theatre.She now teaches at European School of ballet which is a vocational school in Amsterdam. she is the director of the British Ballet Organisation so she’s but who who
At awards night she just kept going on you’re just just like me, we just have the same values I think which is nice. .
As Soloist, she danced many principal roles and received the Evening Standard Award for Achievement. On leaving The Royal Ballet,
Anita specialises in Cecchetti Major examination work and has been a
After working for Central School of Ballet, Anita joined the staff of The Royal Ballet School in 2004 and has taught at Paris Opera Ballet School as part of our Teachers Exchange Programme.