A North East schoolboy who wowed judges on Britain's Got Talent has now beaten hundreds of dancers to win a place at a prestigious ballet school.
Joseph Chow, a Year 6 pupil at St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, in Jarrow, has been offered a place at the Royal Ballet School of London following a rigorous application process. This involved a regional audition in Newcastle followed by a Zoom interview with one of the judges and a final audition at the school with 38 other boys. Overall, Joseph was up against 1,200 dancers and one of only 12 boys offered a place.
The youngster, 11, recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent as part of his dance group 5 Star Boys and earned four yeses from the judges for their moving performance. He also made it to the final of BBC Show The Greatest Dancer in 2020. He was eight at the time and performed alongside Lily Straughan, then 11. They were runners-up in the competition.
Now his family are trying to fundraise as much as possible to enable him to go to the ballet school. While the school provides a Department for Education means-tested grant, a substantial sum still needs to be met by his parents.
Joseph said: "I am so happy that I’ve got a place at The Royal Ballet School of London. It’s my dream come true, and I can’t wait to join in September. I am just really hoping now that my parents can get the money they need to make sure I can go. Ballet is all I want to do, and this opportunity is too good to miss."
Eve Alderson, headteacher of St Matthew’s, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, said: "We are all so proud of Joseph and what he has achieved and we plan to work with his parents to help raise funds. His talent and determination are inspirational, and he thoroughly deserves his place at the Royal Ballet School of London.
"His performance on Britain’s Got Talent took everyone’s breath away and Joseph genuinely has star quality. We teach all of our children that they can be and do whatever it is they want to do as long as they work hard and show the passion, motivation and commitment required for success.
"Success, of course, comes in all forms which is why we’re committed to creating opportunities across our varied and diverse curriculum, offering pupils the chance to get involved with a wide range of sports and creative arts alongside traditional academic subjects.
"We wish Joseph the very best of luck at the Royal Ballet School of London and, if he receives the funding he needs to attend, I have no doubt, that we’ll see him perform one day at the Royal Opera House."
Joseph lives in Boldon with his mum Natasha, a customer services advisor, and dad Phil, a finance advisor, as well as his two younger sisters. He has been dancing since he was seven.
As well as training at his performing arts school, Val Armstrong Performing Arts in Hartlepool, he is also part of Phoenix Boys, an associate boy’s dance company where he trains once a month in Manchester.
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