Bursaries

2024/25 Bursary Recipients

  • Anastasia

    Age 10

    Ballet isn't just about dancing for me. It's like telling a story with my body. When I'm dancing, I feel like I can be whoever I want to be. Sometimes I'm a graceful swan gliding across a lake, and other times I'm a brave princess fighting dragons. Ballet lets my imagination soar.

    Dancing is a huge part of who I am. It's not always easy, though. Dance takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it’s totally worth it.

  • Bellucci

    Age 13

    I have had the pleasure of teaching Bellucci at NKBS for the last two years. Bellucci showed strong improvement in all areas of the class and overall gained strength, visible improvement in feet strength and ankle stability, more conscious use of an inner thighs, use of correct turnout, feet and arm positions getting more precision and quality, improvement in stamina and overall strength.

    I have experienced an individual who works hard, and carries themselves in a polite, respectable manner.

    Bellucci's ballet teacher

  • Bluebell

    Age 14

    Bluebell has made tremendous progress in her ballet technique and has always proven to go above and beyond when it comes to taking her training to the next level, both within the studio and in her own time. Her love for ballet is palpable and her commitment and dedication towards achieving her dreams are evident in her work ethic and priorities. Her natural talent combined with her determination to succeed are a rare combination that must be nurtured in a young dancer like herself.

    Bluebell’s ballet teacher

  • Charlotte

    Age 16

    Ballet has always been a very special part of my life. It is a feeling that is simply indescribable, allowing us to move our bodies in harmony with our souls. An escape from the world where I can express myself in such a beautiful and exciting way, whether it be perfecting technique in the studio or performing on stage. I truly cannot picture myself doing anything else, which is why everyday l push myself to work harder than the day before in order to achieve my dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer.

  • Ivan

    Age 8

    Ivan loves to dance everywhere he goes! In class, he has progressed tremendously, especially with his flexibility and retention of choreography. Ivan is an incredibly hardworking and committed young dancer. I have seen his perseverance and dedication in first hand, and I would love to continue to see him grow and expand his ballet technique and knowledge over the next few years, and to help them become the best he can be.

    Ivan’s ballet teacher

  • Oscar

    Age 10

    I love feeling free when I move. I really like that ballet makes me strong in my body and in my mind. It was during lockdown that I discovered ballet. I watched videos of Carlos Acosta and Calvin Royal iii and I was completely inspired, particularly as they were men of colour just like me. It made me realize that I had the capacity to become anything I put my mind to. Ballet means opportunities to connect with people, make them happy and expose them to great culture and art.

  • Roman

    Age 16

    Ballet is my absolute passion! The music, variations, costumes and feelings of pure joy I get from ballet are everything to me. Ballet has focused me, it commands me to work hard and enjoy my results and performance. I feel I am in tune with my body and what it needs to do. The scholarship programme is very important to me...it allows us to enter a world that would be completely out of reach if not for the generosity, kindness and belief in me the programme offers.

Our Work

In 2016, the Foundation was established as a non-profit organisation and gained its charitable status in 2018.

The NK Ballet Foundation carries out our charitable purposes through means-tested bursaries to young dancers based in or from the UK who wish to pursue their professional education and train in the world’s best ballet institutions. 

The Foundation provides bursaries for individual support and training. We make sure the most promising dancers are able to perfect their technique, stretch their artistic boundaries and realise the dreams of entering the world’s best ballet institutions.

We guide them through their entire journey – from fitting their first ballet shoes to competitions, auditions, personal introductions and mentoring from the charity’s Founder Natalia Kremen, former English National Ballet soloist trained in the Russian classical tradition.

Recipients of our scholarships and bursaries have received training and gone on to international training to prestigious academies all over the world.

Since the launch of the NK Ballet Foundation in 2016, many deserving students have been able to receive financial assistance and support in their ballet education. One of our bursary recipients is Alicia and you can read more about her story here.

It all begins with a dream

Our Bursaries

Our funding is intended to support young ballet and dance students with financial need. Awards under our bursaries programme are means tested and depend on the resources we have.

All applications will be considered and determined by our trustees in their absolute discretion, whose decision shall be final. We will usually make payment directly to a successful applicant’s ballet or dance school. Funding may be made available in a lump sum or in installments for lesson fees and related expenses, such as travel, equipment and costumes.

All applicants are considered regardless of background, gender and ethnicity.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Form

If you are interested in applying for a bursary for yourself or your child aged between 7-18 years, please fill in the form to receive a copy of the Eligibility Criteria document and an application form.

Applications can be received year round.

If you have a specific query, you can include it on the form. Please allow 24-48 hours for a reply.