Absolute Beginners
ballet retreat, norfolk
27 - 28 September 2025
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A weekend of classical ballet in North Norfolk with Stephen Wicks, no dance experience required.
Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th September 2025
This weekend is specially curated for those with little or no prior dance experience. You will be clearly guided through the fundamentals of ballet in a warm and supportive setting.
Our exclusive Norfolk ballet retreats have no more than 6-8 participants, which means that everyone benefits from the very close attention and expert tuition of our expert ballet professionals.
This weekend is suitable for Absolute Beginners.
Level: Absolute Beginner
Experience: 0–1 year
What to Expect: This experience is a gentle and supportive introduction to ballet. It’s perfect if you’re brand new or returning after a long break. We’ll focus on posture, alignment, and learning the essential steps and terminology. Expect calm, clear guidance and time to explore both barre and centre work at a pace that feels right for you.
Format
This intimate classical ballet retreat will take place over 2 days from Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th September.
Each day will begin in the studio with a Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) class. This class will involve floor-based exercises and equipment to help awaken the muscles used for ballet.
After a short break, your morning will continue with a ballet class taught by the wonderful Stephen Wicks. Our first exercises at the barre will introduce the essential movements to help build strength, coordination and alignment ready for your centre work. In the centre, we will focus on balance, arm positions, simple travelling steps and turns.
We will take a break for a nutritious, freshly prepared vegetarian lunch, followed by the afternoon session. This will include a simple and elegant repertoire ballet piece from Swan Lake Act II - a perfect first experience of classical ballet repertoire in a clear and accessible way.
What’s included
5 hours of ballet each day
1 hour of PBT each day
2 nutritious lunches
Dinner on Saturday night
Let’s Dance welcome gift
The retreat includes two lunches and one dinner on Saturday evening. A delicious vegetarian lunch will be served in the beautiful dining room at the Old Stables, adjacent to the studios.
Saturday night dinner details TBC.
Refreshments will be provided throughout the weekend.
The Venue
This retreat will take place at The Old Stables in Weybourne, a pretty village in North Norfolk. You will be surrounded by breathtaking views and wonderful countryside, which will help clear the head and focus the mind.
There are trains from London Liverpool St to Sheringham, via Norwich. We have ample parking space for those travelling by car.
Nutrition
The retreat includes two lunches and one dinner on Saturday evening. A delicious vegetarian lunch will be served in the beautiful dining room at the Old Stables, adjacent to the studios, followed by a sweet treat.
On Saturday night dinner will be hosted by Georgina Atkinson an ex-professional dancer, dance teacher and consultant, at her beautiful home Fareham in Weybourne.
Price
The cost of the two-day retreat is £395 per person.
Please note that accommodation is not included in the price.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included.
We recommend The Maltings in Weybourne, where our attendees can get a 15% discount on their stay. Please ask Clare for more information.
MEET THE PROFESSIONAL
stEphen Wicks
Stephen trained at The Royal Ballet School before joining Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet in 1975. He then transferred to The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden. During his 20-year career, his roles included Siegfried in Swan Lake, Lescaut in Manon, Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty and an Ugly Sister in Cinderella. He has worked with many leading choreographers including Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Sir David Bintley and Sir Peter Wright.
Now retired from the stage, Stephen is a teacher, coach and choreographer working with The Royal Ballet School, The Royal Ballet, London Vocational Ballet School and other schools around the South of England.