WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS
Charity No. 278406
WELCOME TO THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS
Bringing YoungTalent to the Big Stage
“to educate children in the art of dance and to give them the opportunity and experience of performing in public”.
About Us
BRINGING PERFORMANCE TO LIFE
WABS
The Church of England's Children's Society Annual Matinee
took place at the Pavilion Theatre for some 30 years and was the inspiration for WABS. Christopher Shiner, a local musician, arranged the music and conducted the orchestra for the last "matinee" in December 1972.
In 1973 Janice Perry, principle of the Selsdon School of Dancing, together with 5 other teachers and Christopher Shiner, formed the Bournemouth Association of Ballet Schools. In 1975 the name was changed to the Western Association of Ballet Schools (WABS) with Christopher Shiner as Chairman and large scale productions were produced, first at the Winter Gardens and then from 1980 at the Pavilion Theatre.
In 1979 WABS became a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee with it's objectives being "to educate children in the art of dance and to give them the opportunity and experience of preforming in public".
WABS is administered by a committee of trustees and these, along with the dancing school principals, undertake there activities on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration for their services.
JANE MIZEN DANCERS
JANETTA MIZEN
Meet The Officers
The team of volunteers and dancing school principals at WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS work hard in the background to produce compelling performances and experiences for all the pupils involved with WABS . We wouldn’t be where we are today if not for their amazing talent and hard work. These are the faces behind the Dance.
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PAULINE HOPKINS
CHAIRMAN
ALISON LATTER
TREASURER & SECRETARY
Grant Scheme
The grant scheme, which was introduced in 2002, is continuing to give many WABS students the opportunity to take part in professionally run Easter and Summer courses, as well as attending professional schools teaching ballet, contemporary and modern jazz. Fees are subsidized by a percentage of the total cost, which is dependent on the number of students applying and the amount of funds available. This scheme gives the WABS students the opportunity to further their dance training and to gain an insight into the dancing profession.
Any WABS students who are interested can obtain the necessary application form from their dance teacher.
The WABS grant allowed me to take part in this exciting and beneficial experience and i couldn't be more grateful for the help it gave me."
MARTHA TRIBE CENTRAL SCHOOL OF BALLET SUMMER SCHOOL
"I went to Urdang Academy with some others from my dance school and had an incredible time there, so thank you WABS as you gave me these opportunities which i will always treasure."
KIMI EXLEY
" I got a grant to help me go to Bournemouth Pavilion summer school. I hope to do it again next year as i got so much out of it, so thank you very much."
LILIANA DART
Dates for your diary
SUPPORT THE CHILDREN AND ENJOY ONE OF OUR SHOWS
WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS
If you’re interested in seeing one of our productions, take a look at our calendar for a listing of current and upcoming events. We hope you’ll join us soon!
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OUR MAIN SHOW
(PAVILION THEATRE)
SUN 20TH NOV 2022
WABS are looking forward to entertaining you again with our annual dance spectacular "KINGS & QUEENS"
Celebrating Everything Royal Through Dance, at the Bournemouth Pavilion stage.
TICKETS AVAILABLE
PERFORMERS WORKSHOP
NEXT WORKSHOP MARCH 2023
We are pleased to announce our next workshop is scheduled for March 2023!
Details will be shared with you soon.
MUSIC AND DANCE
(THE LAYARD SHOW)
JULY 2023
A fantastic opportunity and exciting day in our calendar.
Consisting of 2 performances, the proceeds of these go directly to help us to fund our Pavilion shows, student grants and workshops.
Please do come along, enjoy the show and give your support.
BUY TICKETS HERE WHEN AVAILABLE
Past Shows
THE WABS ARCHIVE
Here you can browse an archive of all our past performances over the years. Here you will find videos, pictures and information we have kept or accumulated over the years.
if you have anything to add please feel free to contact the Chairman on info@wabs.info so we can keep the archive updated.
Thank you.
LET'S DANCE
OPENS JANUARY 22, 2022
LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION
2019 PAVILION
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
2018 PAVILION
WISH UPON A STAR
2017 PAVILION
LETTERS TO SANTA
2016 PAVILION
RUBY
2015 PAVILION
ENCHANTED
2014 PAVILION
ONE MOMENT IN TIME
2013 PAVILION
DANCING INTO CHRISTMAS
2012 PAVILION
JEWELS OF THE DANCE
2011 PAVILION
MAGIC MOMENTS
2010 PAVILION
CELEBRATIONS
2009 PAVILION
BEYOND THE BALLET SHOES
2008 PAVILION
TALES FOR A WINTER NIGHT
2007 PAVILION
ONCE UPON A TIME
2006 PAVILION
DANCING FOR JOY
2005 PAVILION
MOVIE MAGIC
2004 PAVILION
DANCE OF THE PLANETS
2003 PAVILION
JUBILEE
2002 PAVILION
THE SNOW QUEEN
2001 PAVILION
SEASONS
2000 LAYARD
HEROES AND HEROINES
1999 PAVILION
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
1998 PAVILION
STORY TIME
1997 PAVILION
21 DANCING YEARS
1996 PAVILION
STARS & STRIPES
1995 PAVILION
THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES
1994 PAVILION
DICK WHITTINGTON
1993 PAVILION
DANCING INTO EUROPE
1992 WINTER GARDENS
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
1991 WINTER GARDENS
AHOY SAVOY
1991 WINTER GARDENS
THE SNOWMAN
1990 WINTER GARDENS
WABS IN CONCERT
1989 POOLE ARTS CENTRE
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
1987 PAVILION
THE SNOWMAN
1986 WINTER GARDEN
DISNEY MAGIC
1985 PAVILION
HANS ANDERSON FAIRY TALES
1984 PAVILION
IMPRESSIONS
1983 PAVILION
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
1982 PAVILION
ARABIAN FANTASY
1981 PAVILION
THE SNOW QUEEN
1980 PAVILION
IF ONLY
1979 PAVILION
SEASONS
1978 PAVILION
RAINBOW
1977 PAVILION
ESCAPADE
1976 PAVILION
LEGENDS
1975 PAVILION
ROMEO AND JULIET
OPENS MARCH 22, 2022
WEST SIDE STORY
OPENS DECEMBER 22, 2022