Welcome to the Elite Associates, a monthly training programme where talented young dancers train with the UK’s top instructors to reach their full potential. Curated by the Acosta Dance Centre and Ryan Jenkins, this programme is designed to elevate dancers to the next level in both Ballet and Contemporary styles.
Junior: 9–12 years
Senior: 13–16 years
1 Sunday per month
Seniors 11:30AM – 5:30PM
Juniors 12:00 – 5:00PM
Limited spaces
Early application advised!
Each term will focus on a classical ballet style:
Contemporary techniques studied throughout the year:
Dates: 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 8 Nov, 6 Dec, 10 Jan 2027, 7 Feb 2027, 14 Mar 2027, 18 Apr 2027, 16 May 2027, 13 June 2027, 11 July 2027. The programme will run one Sunday per month from September 2026 to July 2027.
Seniors Programme – £494.89 (Please note: Fees must be paid in advance once the selection process has been completed. All fees are non-refundable)
Juniors Programme – £439.89 (Please note: Fees must be paid in advance once the selection process has been completed. All fees are non-refundable)
Rehearsals
Performance
Concept Video
Learn to perform for camera in a professional environment.
Industry Showcase
Perform for invited agents, choreographers & top schools.
Move It Main Stage
A select group will perform at the UK’s largest dance event.
Acosta Dance Centre
Artillery Square, Building 40
1 Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 6BH
Parking available nearby (local rates apply)
Transport links:
Joel Morris PDTD RAD dip RTS ATAP trained on full scholarship at the Central School of Ballet London. He was awarded full scholarships to The Royal Danish Ballet, Copenhagen and American Ballet Theatre in New York City.
Joel has had an unusually long professional performing career and in this time he has performed at all of London’s top theatres; The Royal Festival Hall, The London Palladium, The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Opera House and across the world (Japan, Australia, Korea, USA, South Africa, Denmark, Italy, Israel, Monaco, Turkey, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Ireland, Greece) in Principal and Soloist roles.
He has worked with London City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, K-Ballet (Japan) English National Ballet, South African Ballet Theatre and Cape Town City Ballet to name a few.
After completing the Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma Joel has taught at The Royal Ballet School (International Summer Intensive at White Lodge and the associate programs for the last 6 years), The Urdang Academy (specialism in classical ballet), BodyWork, London Studio Centre, Ballet Boost, the RAD (London and international summer programs), Pineapple Studios Covent Garden, The Ballet School Notting Hill. Teaching the professionals of “American in Paris” West End cast, The South African Ballet Theatre Company and open professional class at Danceworks and Pineapple.
Serena McCall graduated from the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in 2023. Before this she trained with the Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet & Royal Conservatoire Associate.
She is currently playing the lead in Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet choregraphed by Paul Roberts.
She has also portrayed Roxanne at the Sadler’s Wells/Universal Music UK co-production Message in a Bottle during the North American and Canadian tour, choreographed by five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince to music by Sting.
She can also be seen in the Wicked movie, directed by Jon M. Chu with choreography by Christopher Scott, as well as Disney’s live-action Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and choreographed by Mandy Moore.
Ryan is an accomplished choreographer, creative director, and performer with an extensive career spanning stage, screen, and international live events. Best known for reaching the Top 20 in Series 2 of the BBC's So You Think
You Can Dance and for his standout performances on Sky’s Got to Dance, Ryan first made waves in the industry at just 19, securing his professional debut in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. His career in London’s West End has been equally distinguished. He was an original cast member in the hit musical Wicked, performing alongside Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis, and was appointed Dance Captain for the UK and European tours of Grease, choreographed by Arlene Phillips. He also appeared in Kismet for the English National Opera at the London Coliseum, and in Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre, both choreographed by Javier de Frutos.
On screen, Ryan featured as a dancer in Joel Schumacher’s film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, choreographed by Peter Darling. His TV and commercial choreography credits include multiple seasons of Britain’s Got Talent for Simon Cowell, the hit UK series Dance Mums, and serving as a talent scout for the BBC’s The Greatest Dancer (produced by Syco and Fremantle Media). Notably, Ryan was invited by the UK Government to serve as Creative Director and Choreographer for British National Day at Milan Expo.
A sought-after choreographer for high-profile brands, Ryan has created live and broadcast events for British Airways, King (creators of Candy Crush), Puma, Red Bull Racing, and Samsung—choreographing their 2022 global launch of the Galaxy Flip phone. In 2025, he choreographed the music video The Mountain and the Blossom for classical composer Nick Newton.
An esteemed educator, Ryan has taught at over 200 performing arts institutions globally, including Bird College, LIPA, Urdang Academy, London Studio Centre, Pineapple Dance Studios, and regularly lectures at universities. He also leads a successful associate training program in Ireland and Scotland.
Ryan has been twice nominated for the Carl Alan Award for Choreographer of the Year, alongside industry giants such as Matthew Bourne, Paul Roberts, and Stephen Mear
Jemima Brown is an award-winning Dance Artist, Choreographer, and Singer-Songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. She graduated with First-Class Honours in Contemporary Dance from the renowned London Contemporary Dance School in 2015.
A Critics’ Circle National Dance Award winner, Jemima was honoured with Outstanding Female Modern Performance for her electrifying solo Surge with Tom Dale Company. In 2024, she was also nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist at the prestigious Sky Arts Awards.
Her choreographic work has garnered international recognition, most notably as Associate Choreographer for Lady Gaga and Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, directed by Tim Burton. Where she co-created the now-iconic Dead Dance - one of the most viral dance pieces globally this year.
Jemima’s Associate Choreographer credits also include working alongside Paul Roberts on Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, and collaborating with Annabelle Lopez on Northern Ballet’s new production of Gentleman Jack.
In 2025, Jemima made her professional aerial debut as Dance Captain and Aerial Acrobat in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Bridge Theatre, directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner and choreographed by Dame Arlene Phillips and James Cousins.
Her extensive performance portfolio includes national and international tours with companies such as Tom Dale Company, Gary Clarke Company, James Cousins Company, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Marikiscrycrycry, and Avant Garde Dance Company. She also served as Dance Captain for the acclaimed West End musical Why Am I So Single? at The Garrick Theatre.
Jemima has appeared as a dancer for a host of global music icons, including Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Jamie XX, Paloma Faith, Fleur East, and Ellie Goulding.
Alongside her dance career, Jemima releases original music under the artist name MYMA. With her debut EP Alter Ego and most recent single ‘Alone’, her distinctive voice and songwriting style, further highlights her multifaceted career
Diana’s journey in the world of ballet began in Italy, where she received professional
training and graced the stage in numerous galas, festivals, and dance projects
alongside young talents. At the age of twenty, she made her way to London to
broaden her horizons and joined the prestigious Royal Opera House.
There, she
wowed audiences with her performances in iconic productions such as Aida, I
Pagliacci, Boris Godunov, The Queen of Spades, and The Magic Flute. Diana had
the privilege of being coached by the esteemed Romayne Grigorova, forging a close
and mutually respectful relationship.
Diana’s illustrious career also led her to collaborate with renowned ballet companies,
including the Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. However,
teaching gradually became her newfound passion. With over a decade of
experience, Diana has imparted her wisdom to students of all ages, from children to
teenagers and adults. Her teaching repertoire spans from open classes to private
coaching sessions, all driven by her boundless enthusiasm for music and dance.
Please note: Applications for the Elite Training Programme are FREE of charge. Fees only apply if you are accepted.
Applications will close on 1st August, 2026.
If you’re ready to take your training to the next level, complete the form below and upload a video of yourself dancing Ballet, Lyrical or Contemporary.