A north Cumbria teenager has been accepted into one of London’s most prestigious dance schools at the age of just 15.
Sophie Marsh, from Kirklinton, has been offered a place at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
She will take it up in September, moving to London to live in a houseshare with other students, just days after she turns 16.
Dancers are usually enrolled on to the course, which leads to a BA (Hons) degree, at the age of 18. But Sophie’s exceptional talent, maturity and commitment means she will begin the programme two years early, graduating whilst still a teenager.
Sophie’s love of dance began at the age of five, when she joined a ballet class in Brampton because her best friend attended. At 12, she won a funded place at the Centre for Advanced Training in Dance (CAT), based at The Lowry arts centre in Greater Manchester.
It was there, whilst training twice a week at The Lowry and at the scheme’s Cumbria satellite at Newbiggin Village Hall, near Penrith, that Sophie discovered contemporary dance.
She will now study both ballet and contemporary at Rambert and says that once she graduates, she just wants to perform ‘anywhere and everywhere’.
For Sophie, who has been homeschooled for the last two years, the experience meant not only her first taste of such an important audition, but also her first ever visit to London.
She said the audition process was made even more nerve-wracking due to COVID precautions.
Sophie said: “There was a whole morning of socially distanced auditions and I had to wait for the results of a COVID test before I could perform. My mum wasn’t allowed anywhere near the building and I had to say goodbye to her in the street.
“I did feel nervous, but I was able to channel the nerves into concentration and putting on the best performance I could.”
The former William Howard School student says she has mixed feelings about graduating early from the Lowry CAT scheme, which usually supports young dancers until they reach 18.
She said: “I am sad to leave my friends behind but over the moon about moving to London to start at Rambert.
“The Lowry CAT scheme has been amazing. It taught me a lot about the discipline needed to be a dancer and what it means to dance professionally. My technique has improved so much since I started on the programme.
“The scheme also allowed me to be around lots of other people who are passionate about dance. We have helped each other to retain the focus that is needed to take dance to the highest level.”
Clare Fildes, outreach coordinator, The Lowry CAT, said: “Everyone at The Lowry is beyond proud of what Sophie has achieved. We are sad to see her go, but are rooting for her 100 percent on her new adventure in London.”
One of 10 nationwide centres of excellence for dance – and the only one in the north west – The Lowry CAT scheme is an intensive, part time, training programme for young people who aim to pursue a career in dance.
Funded by the Department for Education, the programme fits around schooling, taking place during evenings and weekends as well as an Easter holidays intensive.
Young dancers are invited to have a taste of what it’s like to join the CAT dance programme at an open day at The Lowry on June 20 from 9.30 – 1.30pm. Attendees will be able to speak to tutors and students and also take part in a workshop.
An alternative Zoom-based open evening will run on June 18 (4.45 – 6.45pm).
Anyone wanting to try out for a September place on the Lowry CAT scheme can pick up an application form at the open day or download one from the website, ahead of auditions on June 27.
Places for the open day must be booked in advance via The Lowry box office on 0843 208 6000 or website
