Ella Jones
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Tring Park School for the Performing Arts
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Photo by JR Photography
I met Ella when she bought some skirts for a photo shoot with Jon Raffoul. In the photos she looked stunning in a bold red rehearsal skirt on Baker Street tube station in London so I was really happy she agreed to be an ambassador.
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My Name is Ella Jones, I’m 13 years old and I attend Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. I’m on the Junior Dance Course.
I first wore Freda Silk skirts for a night time photo shoot in London with J R Photography, the skirts moved so well and look beautiful, from then on I wanted to be a Freda Silk Ambassador. I love dance wear and the skirts go with so many things, the brand is a perfect fit for me.
When did you first start to dance?
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I attended my first ballet lesson at the age of 3, I attended Tanwood Dance School and later joined The Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre arts. I regularly attended dance festivals, at the age of 7 I joined the Young Dancers Programme at Elmhurst and the Tring park Classical Ballet Academy. I continued on the courses for three years, until I successfully auditioned for the Tring Park School, full time dance course, starting in year 7.
What is a typical day at Tring Park like?
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Each day at Tring Park is different, mornings are focused on vocational study, we always have a ballet class. We also do Modern, tap, singing, music, Pilates and drama classes. Afternoons are devoted to academic study. It’s a very busy school and we always have performances or assessments to prepare for.
Tring Park Dance gives us so many great opportunities and in 2018 & 2019 I performed in Liverpool and London in the Nutcracker, with the English National Ballet. It was such a great experience and gave me the insight into what it’s like to be in a Ballet company, plus the company were so kind and friendly.
Do you learn Choreography at school? Do you enjoy choreography or prefer to perform other peoples steps?
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We don’t learn choreography at school until we get a bit older, but we do have a yearly choreography competition which I always take part in. I absolutely love choreographing and I’m always putting new pieces together, it’s definitely a passion of mine and something I’d like to do more of in the future.
Who are your ballet idols?
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Sarah Lamb, Marianela Nunez and Frankie Hayward
What are your favourite styles of dance?
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I love ballet but Contemporary, lyrical and Jazz are my favourite.
What type of dancer are you?
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I’m very much a lyrical, contemporary & jazz dancer and I’m a strong performer, I love to portray a character.
Which was the last performance you sent to see?
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Matthews Bournes “the Red Shoes’ and the ENB 70th Anniversary Gala.
Full time ballet training must be hard as a teen, what keeps you motivated and have time for your studies?
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Knowing that I’m working hard towards my dance career keeps me motivated, I’m very focused on my ambitions. I also really enjoy my academic studies so I don’t find it too difficult to balance vocational and academic, however, that might change when I start doing my GCSEs.
Which company would you like to work with in the future?
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Rambert, Matthew Bourne and English National Ballet.
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As a designer and maker of dance wear, I’m really interested in dance photography. You model beautifully for dance photo shoots. Do you have a favourite photographer?
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I LOVE photo shoots!! Jon Applegate and J R photography are my current favourite photographers, they are both so talented and the photo shoots are always so much fun. I’d also really like to work with Birdy Peacock, Suzie Bird and Tia Laukkanen this year, they all offer something so different and I love their work.
Do you have any achievements of which you are particularly proud?
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The achievements I am most proud of are; gaining a place at Tring Park, dancing with the English National Ballet and winning The All England, South of England Regional Modern final.
I’m not a dancer, but I love the elegance and grace of the clothes worn by ballet dancers. Do you take it for granted now, or do you get excited about a new ballet skirt, pointe shoes etc?
I always love wearing a new rehearsal skirt or new pair of point shoes, it makes me feel special.
Which song / piece of music will always get you dancing – doesn’t have to be ballet related!