ORPHEUS to Be Performed by Elmhurst Ballet School in Summer 2026

Elmhurst Ballet School, in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, has announced details of its 2026 summer performances, presented under the umbrella title Orpheus. A much-anticipated highlight of the School calendar, the performances celebrate the artistry, discipline and creativity developed by Elmhurst students throughout the academic year.

Running from 3–9 July 2026 in the School's studio theatre, Orpheus will comprise six performances across Lower School & Elmhurst Young Dancers, Upper School, and Whole School productions. The performances mark an important milestone for students progressing through the School and, for Elmhurst Ballet Company, represent the culmination of their vocational training before entering professional dance careers. Audiences of family, friends, supporters and dance enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the exceptional talent emerging from one of the world's leading ballet schools.

Since relocating to Edgbaston in 2004, Elmhurst Ballet School has become an integral part of Birmingham's cultural landscape. Queen Camilla serves as Patron of the School, while Sir Wayne McGregor is President and Carlos Acosta CBE is Vice President. The School celebrated its centenary in 2023.

Artistic Director Robert Parker has curated a bold and varied programme designed to showcase the technical excellence and artistic individuality of students aged 11–19. Drawing inspiration from both classical and contemporary myths and legends, the season reflects the breadth and versatility of dance today.

Across a wide range of choreographic styles, students have worked closely with Elmhurst tutors alongside leading guest artists and choreographers, giving them invaluable experience of the creative process. Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz all feature prominently throughout the shows, highlighting the adaptability and range of Elmhurst performers.

The programme honours the traditions of classical ballet while embracing new artistic voices. Year 12 students will perform excerpts from The Dream, Sir Frederick Ashton's celebrated one-act ballet inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Contemporary dance also takes centre stage with Invictus, a newly commissioned work for Year 13 students by choreographer Marika Brussel, marking her first collaboration with Elmhurst.

Elmhurst Ballet Company will showcase the dynamism of jazz in Ascension, a powerful work by award-winning choreographer Dane Bates. Originally premiered in March, the piece returns as a celebration of the graduating students' final year at Elmhurst.

New works created for Years 7, 8 and 9 by choreographer Marcia Edwards and Northern Ballet dancer George Liang - Contention and The Great Race of the Zodiac - will receive their premieres during the performances. Meanwhile, former Elmhurst student and current faculty member Alex Harrison has created the classical work Suite Mythique for Year 10 students. Following his graduation from Elmhurst, Harrison danced with the Slovak National Ballet, Tulsa Ballet and Sarasota Ballet, where he was promoted to First Soloist, before returning to Elmhurst as part of its artistic team.

The contemporary work Everyone's Busy, choreographed by graduating Elmhurst Ballet Company student Alicia Wong, also returns following acclaimed performances in Birmingham and London earlier this year.

Elmhurst continues to enrich students' training through collaborations with distinguished guest artists. During Orpheus, Year 11 students will perform a newly created contemporary work by former Motionhouse dancer and rehearsal director Junior Cunningham. Additional works have been created by members of Elmhurst's artistic team, including Mary Walsh, Cris Penfold, Gloria Grigolato and Lee Robinson.

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