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Prestigious Ballet School Beckons For Britain’s Got Talent Schoolboy

Joseph Chow aged 11

A pupil from a primary school in South Tyneside has won a place at the Royal Ballet School of London, a highly respected and celebrated ballet school.

Joseph Chow, a year 6 pupil at St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, has been offered a place at the Royal Ballet School of London following a rigorous application process. The process involved a regional audition in Newcastle followed by a Zoom interview with one of the judges and a final audition at the school with 38 other boys.

The Chow family

Overall, Joseph was up against 1,200 dancers and one of only 12 boys offered a place. Joseph was also offered a place at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, another highly prestigious ballet school after a similar process.

Joseph recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent as part of his dance group, 5 Star Boys and, following the performance, the group were praised by all four judges for their display. The focus for Joseph and his family now is to fundraise as much as possible to enable him to go to the ballet school. Whilst the ballet school provides a Department for Education means-tested grant, a substantial sum still needs to be met by parents as the funding does cover all of the school’s fees or uniform and travel back home during holiday periods.

Eve Alderson, headteacher of St Matthew’s, said:
“We are all so proud of Joseph and what he has achieved and we plan to work with his parents to help raise funds.

“His talent and determination are inspirational, and he thoroughly deserves his place at the Royal Ballet School of London.

“His performance on Britain’s Got Talent took everyone’s breath away and Joseph genuinely has star quality.

“We teach all of our children that they can be and do whatever it is they want to do as long as they work hard and show the passion, motivation and commitment required for success.

“Success, of course, comes in all forms which is why we’re committed to creating opportunities across our varied and diverse curriculum, offering pupils the chance to get involved with a wide range of sports and creative arts alongside traditional academic subjects.

“We wish Joseph the very best of luck at the Royal Ballet School of London and, if he receives the funding he needs to attend, I have no doubt, that we’ll see him perform one day at the Royal Opera House.”

Joseph is 11 years old and lives in Boldon with his parents Natasha, a customer services advisor and Phil, a finance advisor as well as his two younger sisters. He has been dancing since he was seven. As well as training at his performing arts school, Val Armstrong Performing Arts in Hartlepool, he’s also part of Phoenix Boys, an associate boy’s dance company where he trains once a month in Manchester.

Joseph, aged 11, said:
“I am so happy that I’ve got a place at The Royal Ballet School of London. It’s my dream come true, and I can’t wait to join in September.

“I am just really hoping now that my parents can get the money they need to make sure I can go. Ballet is all I want to do, and this opportunity is too good to miss.”