Our History

Developing Young Artists. Creating Opportunities. Building the Future of Dance.

High Points Youth Ballet CIC (HPYB) was founded in January 2011 by Rana O'Brien with three of her ballet students through funding provided by UnLtd. The initial purpose of HPYB was to provide supplementary training opportunities for exceptionally talented and committed young dancers in Northern Ireland.

Over the years, HPYB has grown from a small masterclass programme into Northern Ireland's pre-professional youth ballet company, providing high-level training, performance opportunities, competition experiences and professional guidance to aspiring dancers from across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

2011–2017: The Beginning

From 2011 to 2017, HPYB organised monthly masterclasses for students achieving high marks in their ballet examinations. These workshops were led by respected dance professionals including Kenny Burke of The Dance School of Scotland and Julianne Rice-Oxley of English Youth Ballet. During these early years, the organisation established its commitment to excellence and identified a growing need for advanced supplementary ballet training within Northern Ireland.

2017: A New Chapter

A significant turning point came in 2017 with the arrival of American dancers Jake Allison and Anna Carapellotti in Northern Ireland.

Together with HPYB, they helped establish the company's Pre-Professional Training Programme with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Jake Allison became HPYB's founding Artistic Director while Anna Carapellotti served as Répétiteur. This marked the beginning of a new era for the organisation and laid the foundations for the company we know today.

2018–2019: Becoming a Youth Ballet Company

From 2018 onwards, HPYB transitioned from monthly workshops to regular weekly training. Classes were based on the Vaganova method and incorporated classical repertoire alongside technical development.

This period also saw the introduction of the traditions that continue to define HPYB today, including annual productions of The Nutcracker and the Spring Gala. Through these productions, dancers gained valuable stage experience while performing iconic works from the classical ballet repertoire including Swan Lake, Giselle, Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, and Don Quixote.

2020–2021: Resilience Through Challenge

When the Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the performing arts sector, HPYB adapted quickly by delivering training online through Zoom.

Despite these challenges, student numbers continued to grow. The company hosted online masterclasses with internationally recognised artists, including Royal Ballet Principal Melissa Hamilton, helping students remain motivated and connected during a difficult period. In 2021, HPYB successfully returned to in-person training and performances.

2022–2023: Expanding International Opportunities

In 2022, HPYB established its Competition Team, creating new pathways for dancers to gain experience at national and international competitions.

The inaugural team travelled to Barcelona to compete at the 2023 Youth Grand Prix Semi-Final, where Georgia Crawford was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Nervi Festival in Italy. This achievement marked the beginning of HPYB's growing presence on the international competition stage.

In 2023, senior competition dancers performed the contemporary work Initiation, choreographed by Argyro Tsampazi. The piece secured an invitation to the Youth America Grand Prix Finals and 25th Anniversary Celebration in New York, providing dancers with an extraordinary international opportunity.

2024: Launching the Belfast International Ballet Festival

In 2024, HPYB achieved another important milestone with the launch of the Belfast International Ballet Festival, supported by Belfast City Council. The festival was created to bring world-class ballet opportunities to Northern Ireland while celebrating and strengthening the local ballet community.

The inaugural festival welcomed dancers from Northern Ireland and beyond for a week of masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and performances. The programme featured choreography by internationally acclaimed choreographer Oona Doherty, educational lectures by ballet historian Amy Growcott, and performances celebrating both classical and contemporary dance.

This milestone further strengthened HPYB's position as a leading organisation for young dancers seeking high-quality training and performance opportunities within Northern Ireland.

2025: New Artistic Leadership and Creative Growth

The 2025 season marked an exciting new chapter in the artistic development of High Points Youth Ballet.

In September 2025, Czech ballet dancer Adéla Lišková was appointed Artistic Director, bringing a new artistic vision, extensive professional experience and a continued commitment to excellence in training and performance. Under her leadership, HPYB continued to strengthen its reputation as Northern Ireland's leading pre-professional youth ballet company.

During this year, HPYB dancers were given the unique opportunity to work on a brand-new production of The Nutcracker created by renowned Turkish choreographer Volkan Ersoy and Turkish Ballet Master Murat Akaoglu. This exciting collaboration allowed dancers to work directly with internationally respected artists while gaining invaluable experience in the creative process of developing a new production.

The company also continued to achieve success on the international stage. One of the most notable achievements came when Madison Crawford reached the Top 12 Finals in the Senior Classical category at Youth Grand Prix Barcelona, representing both HPYB and Northern Ireland at an exceptionally high international level.

Throughout the year, HPYB dancers continued to receive scholarships, invitations, and acceptance offers from respected vocational schools, summer intensives, and international training programmes throughout Europe.

2026: A Year of Achievement and Recognition

The 2026 season has been one of the most successful years in the history of High Points Youth Ballet.

At the Irish National Ballet Competition, HPYB dancers achieved exceptional results across every age category, earning numerous first-place awards, special prizes, and recognition for artistic excellence and future potential. From the youngest competitors to senior dancers, HPYB students demonstrated the strength, versatility, and dedication that have become hallmarks of the organisation.

Another significant achievement came when HPYB dancers were selected to represent Northern Ireland at a prestigious U.Dance Nation Festival 2026 in Glasgow with Set Me Free, an original choreography created by Artistic Director Adéla Lišková. This invitation recognised both the artistic quality of the work and the outstanding standard of the dancers performing it.

The company also received significant recognition at the Golden Dance Awards Northern Ireland, reaching the finals in five major categories:

• Small School of the Year
• Dance Excellence – Ballet
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
• Adéla Lišková – Choreographer of the Year
• Amelia Larmour – Under 17 Dancer of the Year

These nominations reflected the exceptional achievements of the entire HPYB community and highlighted the growing impact of the organisation within the dance sector.

Alongside continued success in competitions, HPYB expanded its performance opportunities through festivals and collaborations, including appearances at the Unanimous Festival and Hollywood Festival, while continuing to develop new partnerships and opportunities for its dancers.

The Belfast International Ballet Festival and Summer Intensive also continued to grow, attracting dancers, teachers, choreographers, and artists from across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Europe and establishing Belfast as an emerging destination for ballet training and performance.

Looking Towards the Future

Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Rana O'Brien and Artistic Director Adéla Lišková, High Points Youth Ballet continues to provide exceptional training and opportunities for aspiring dancers.

What began with three students and a vision in 2011 has grown into a thriving artistic community that supports dancers through professional training, performances, competitions, festivals, private coaching, and career development opportunities.

As HPYB looks to the future, the company remains committed to its founding mission: creating opportunities, inspiring excellence, and helping the next generation of dancers realise their full potential.

Through dedication, innovation, and a passion for artistic excellence, High Points Youth Ballet continues to shape the future of dance in Northern Ireland and beyond.