Central School of Ballet announces new Chair of Governors Former principal dancer and Central graduate

Charlotte Talbot said: “Now, more than ever, students are focused on the opportunities for post graduate employment. My aim, with the direct experience of being a graduate of the school and a long career in the professional dance industry, is to ensure that we deliver training and life skills that make our graduates relevant and highly employable.”

Charlotte continues: “Young people now face considerable challenges, but I am confident that the leaders, tutors and wider body of staff with the support of the Board at Central, are well-placed to maximise the potential of our highly talented students and the benefits of being located in central London with its access to world-class arts and culture.

I feel privileged to be leading such a committed Board of Governors during these uncertain times for arts organisations in the UK ”

Central’s former chair Ralph Bernard CBE will step down in October 2024 following 16 years of service.

 

---

Centralschoolofballet.co.uk

For more information and images contact Anita Hamilton                                                 M: 07768 778 772      T: 020 8742 0566       

E: Hamiltonconsulting@btconnect.com

 

Notes to Editors

About Charlotte Schonberg

Charlotte Schonberg (nee Talbot) was born in Sheffield and trained at Central School of Ballet from 1989 to 1992, under the direction of Christopher Gable.  She joined Northern Ballet Theatre in 1992 and worked with directors Christopher Gable, Stefano Giannetti and David Nixon until 2003. Many roles were created on at Norther Ballet including Cathy in Nixon’s Wuthering Heights, Blanche du Bois in Veldman’s Streetcar named Desire and Estelle in Giannetti’s Great Expectations.  She has performed in numerous European cities, America, China and Japan and toured extensively throughout the UK. Between 2001 and 2004 she worked as a freelance guest artist performing works by the late French choreographer Roland Petit including his ballets of Pink Floyd, Duke Ellington and La Jeune Homme et la mort. She retired from the stage in 2004. Since 2009 Charlotte has worked as Guest Rehearsal Director for Director/Choreographer David Nixon working on the creation and re-staging of his productions.

As a principal dancer she has danced a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire by prolific choreographers, including Juliet in Massimo Morricone’s Romeo & Juliet, Purple Girl in Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat, Sugar Plum Fairy in David Nixon’s Nutcracker, Ann in Gillian Lynne’s A Simple Man, Lucy in Michael Pink’s Dracula and Carmen in Didy Veldman’s Carmen.

Charlotte was appointed to the​ Central School of Ballet Board of Governors in 2012.  She lives in London and is a volunteer at Chelsea &Westminster hospital in London, part of the team to be awarded a Gold Proud award for services in the NHS.

About Central School of Ballet

• Founded in 1982 by Ann Stannard and the late Christopher Gable CBE, Central School of Ballet was created to provide a different approach to professional dance training, offering the rigours of classical ballet at its core but also providing tuition in contemporary dance, jazz, choreography, and narrative pieces.
• Students train for three years towards a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance (validated by the University of Kent).
• Central also offers an MA in Choreography based on the core principles of ballet.
• Central’s ethos is the belief that talented, dedicated young people should have access to the highest quality of training, whatever their economic, social, or cultural background.

Ballet Central

• In 1984 Ballet Central was formed as a touring company to give final year BA students first-hand experience of professional dance.
• This unique touring experience forming part of the degree course is unique to Central and provides students with valuable skills making them particularly versatile, mature, and professional.
• Central School of Ballet is the only classical vocational school to offer pre-professional touring experience on such a scale.