Cecchetti Society Trust News

Welcome to the Cecchetti Society Trust Newsletter

With the new academic year well underway for many schools the Trust is delighted to present the 2026/27 Vocational Classical Ballet Awards. Access to the Awards has been widened this year to encourage participation by those studying ISTD Cecchetti at vocational levels who are not yet in full time vocational training, as well as those students at vocational schools. Applications are now open, so please share the information below with interested students and teachers.

The Trust is also pleased to continue to support the ISTD Cecchetti Malta Awards and the Mabel Ryan Awards in 2026/27. These annual competitions provide special opportunities for young dancers.

Over the summer months there has been some exciting news and updates about Cecchetti members and activities. Read more below about Alex Harrison and Ella-Louise Appleby and their study pathway for the Licentiate qualification; the very well deserved recognition for Dorothy Ind, with her MBE for Services to Dance; the International Summer School in Forli, Italy for teachers and students focusing on Cecchetti and Ashton study.

Cecchetti Society Trust
Vocational Awards 2026/27
Elmhurst Ballet School, Birmingham
15th November 2026
Applications Open!

Licentiate Qualification Pathways
Alex Harrison & Ella-Louise Appleby Trust Support for Cecchetti Teachers

The ISTD recently published interesting articles focusing on two young Cecchetti teachers, Alex Harrison and Ella-Louise Appleby, about the pathways they have taken to gaining their Cecchetti Licentiate qualification. The Trust has been pleased to be able to support both through a CST Teacher Study Bursary. Click on the links below to read more about their inspiring stories and consider whether a CST bursary might help you achieve your teaching qualifications. Applications for Bursaries for study in 2027 will be open in December 2026.

Alex Harrison - https://www.istd.org/discover/news/alex-harrisons-journey-to-istd-membership/

Ella-Louise Appleby https://www.istd.org/discover/news/ella-louise-appleby-on-life-as-a-performer-and-training-as-a/

Congratulations to Dorothy Ind MBE

The Cecchetti Society Trust extends warmest congratulations to Dorothy Ind on being awarded the MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 for Services to Dance Education. As Founder and Principal of Chelsea Ballet Schools, Mrs Ind has been a wonderful advocate for Cecchetti training, introducing thousands of young dancers to the Method. This recognition of all her work over many years teaching, directing and supporting the dance education of so many children, students and teachers is richly deserved.

International Summer School 2026 - Forli, Italy

An International Cecchetti Summer School for students and teachers took place in Forli, Italy in August. The course organisers Stefania Sansavini and Diego Cardelli were honoured to have the great granddaughters of Enrico Cecchetti in attendance at the final performance of the course. Read more about this exciting week of Cecchetti and Ashton studies in an article by CST Trustee Diane van Schoor.

ISTD Cecchetti Events 2026/27
Cecchetti Malta Awards &

Mabel Ryan Awards

The Trust is very pleased to continue to support the ISTD Cecchetti Society Classical Ballet Faculty Cecchetti Malta Awards and the Mabel Ryan Awards.

The Cecchetti Malta Awards 2026 will take place on 29th November 2026 at St Michael Foundation, San Ġwann, Reġjun Tramuntana, Malta. For further details go to the ISTD website:

https://www.istd.org/events/cecchetti-malta-awards-2026/

The Mabel Ryan Awards will have a new format with online heats open to UK and International entries. UK finalists will be invited to the live finals at Mountview, London on Sunday 31st January 2027, whilst International finalists will go on to an online adjudication final. For further details of this exciting new development please go to the ISTD website:

https://www.istd.org/events/mabel-ryan-awards-heats-2027/

Applications are now open for both competitions and the Trust wishes all the participants well in both these upcoming events.

Keep Spreading the News!

We would like to share our news as widely as possible across the Cecchetti community of teachers, students and ballet lovers.
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Donate to the Cecchetti Society Trust

The work of the Cecchetti Society Trust can only be sustained and continued through the generosity of donors. Every donation counts, and every donor makes a difference. The Trustees are extremely grateful to all who support the Trust. Ways in which a gift can support different aspects of the Trust’s work and information about how to give can be found on our website using the button link below.