World-class dancer Francesca Hayward has assumed the role of Lead Ambassador for The Royal Ballet School’s Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme (ATAP). Hayward is an alumna of the School and currently a Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet.
ATAP is The Royal Ballet School’s programme for private and recreational dance training. Dance teachers train directly with the School, benefiting from its expertise and guidance. Once accredited, Affiliate teachers deliver the programme to students in their own schools. The innovative programme puts young dancers at the heart of the learning process.
The School is currently accepting ATAP applications for the next cohort of Affiliate teachers. Applications close on 18 April 2024.
Meet Francesca Hayward
Hayward is one of the world’s most acclaimed ballerinas, best known for her captivating, expressive performances. A talented, versatile dancer, she’s appeared in diverse repertoire, including Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Manon, The Dream, and Like Water for Chocolate.
Hayward’s Royal Ballet School journey began in 2003, when she joined the Junior Associate Programme. Associate dancers attend weekly classes at one of the School’s regional centres to augment their regular ballet classes and enhance their artistry and performance skills.
Many of the students who secure places on the School’s full-time training course at White Lodge are Junior Associates, a pathway Hayward also followed. She subsequently progressed through the School’s Artistic Training, transitioning from White Lodge to Upper School in Covent Garden.
Hayward launched her career as a professional dancer at The Royal Ballet during the 2010/11 season. She became a First Artist in 2013, Soloist in 2014, First Soloist in 2015, and Principal dancer in 2016.
Other talented Principals of the Company include Matthew Ball, Lauren Cuthbertson, Steven McRae, Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Yasmine Naghdi, and Marcelino Sambé.Hayward and Sambé co-starred in The Royal Ballet’s mesmerising ballet Like Water for Chocolate in 2022 as the leading lovers Tita and Pedro.
Inspiring Young Dancers With a Passion for Ballet
The Royal Ballet School announced Hayward as the ATAP Lead Ambassador on 11 March 2024. The dancer called the opportunity to represent the “ground-breaking” programme a “great honour.”
“This is such an important programme for the future of classical ballet, from the School which has shaped my life and career as an artist,” Hayward said. “The programme doesn’t just teach ballet steps and technique but allows young people to appreciate and fall in love with ballet as an art form. I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
In her role as Lead Ambassador, Hayward will help raise global awareness of ATAP amongst teachers, parents, and young dancers. Promoting the lasting benefits of holistic dance education will further ATAP’s mission of inspiring young dancers to love and appreciate ballet, thus preserving the art form for decades to come.
The School’s Artistic Director Christopher Powney described Hayward as an “extraordinary alumna” who embodies everything ATAP stands for: “expressiveness, creativity, versatility, and passion for the art form.”
Powney said: “She is an inspiration to current and future dancers with her luminous presence, exceptional artistic and technical ability, and dedication to her craft.”
“I couldn’t think of a better role model and mentor for our Affiliate Programme students and teachers,” he added. “We look forward to working with her to continue revolutionising the face of recreational and private dance training and shaping the artists of the future.”
ATAP: Revolutionising Dance Training
An advocate for ballet on and off the stage, Hayward is passionate about increasing access to dance for all children. Her passion makes her an ideal lead ambassador for ATAP, which seeks to:
ATAP offers an alternative approach to current recreational training models. While traditional models typically focus on learning a syllabus for examination, Affiliate Teachers show students “how” to learn. Along the way, students develop effective learning skills and an appreciation and enjoyment of the learning process.
The programme also cultivates a deeper appreciation for ballet amongst students. In addition to helping young dancers master ballet technique, ATAP also immerses them in the rich world of ballet repertoire and choreography, fostering a lasting passion for the art form.
Uniquely, Affiliate teachers have the freedom to guide and evaluate their students’ progress independently. The Royal Ballet School empowers teachers with support via ongoing training and moderation. This autonomous approach fosters continuous professional development and enhances teachers’ satisfaction in their creative and career pursuits.
Applications to train as an Affiliate Teacher are now open. Find out how to apply to ATAP.
About The Royal Ballet School
Founded in 1926, The Royal Ballet School is world-famous for its classical ballet training expertise. A leader in the dance education field, the School’s extensive teacher training programmes set the standard for classical ballet training globally. These offerings include ATAP, the Diploma of Dance Teaching, the Teacher Observation Programme, Inspire seminars, and Enlighten webinars.
