A musical theatre student from West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield, will be taking her skills further this year to study a BA (Hons) in Ballet Performance at just 17.

Isabella Cave, from Woodthorpe, Nottingham, will be starting her degree up to one year earlier than is usual at The School of Ballet Theatre UK in Leicestershire this September. This is to pursue her passion of ballet, which she began learning as a three-year-old.

Soon after discovering her love of ballet dancing, Isabella trained in tap dancing, modern, acrobatics, contemporary and jazz at the Nottingham Theatre Dance School on Burton Road, Carlton, where she took part in many shows and competitions.

Isabella then enrolled on the BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical theatre) at West Nottinghamshire College in September 2019.

She said: “I enjoyed everything about the course, however I loved training in singing and acting as well as dance. The course also helped me find some great friends who have the same interests as me.”

The School of Ballet Theatre UK works in partnership with the University of West London to deliver the BA (Hons) in Ballet Performance and Isabella’s early enrolment to this degree is a result of her previous connections to the school.

She said: “Normally you have to apply and complete an audition. However, I auditioned four years ago for an associate’s place, which I got, and since then I’ve taken ballet classes there once a month. Since they already knew me, they emailed me and offered me the place before the open auditions. I feel very fortunate indeed to have secured a place on this highly-prestigious course.”

Isabella has decided to live in student accommodation while she studies the three-year degree. This elite training will give her unprecedented access to life as a professional dancer and will follow a daily ballet class as well as classes in pointe work, pas de deux, repertoire and variations to provide a well-rounded classical training.

The degree also provides contemporary dance, studying the styles of modern dance pioneers and students will work alongside professional dancers both in the studio and on stage.

The school places great emphasis on the importance of health and well-being and has created a physical conditioning programme with the aim of developing technical facility by improving strength, flexibility and stamina.

Isabella’s college tutor Charlene Roberts said: “We’re all so proud and delighted to hear of Isabella gaining a place at The School of Ballet Theatre. There’s no doubt that she’ll be a success. She was a very diligent and dedicated student at the college and put maximum effort into all aspects of her learning.

“Her natural gift for dance and her choreography skills are really impressive and she’s set to go a long way in the industry.”