Appeal for sponsorship as aspiring young dancer Hudson Miller, of Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds, embarks on second year at Royal Ballet School
The family of a talented young dancer hope to secure sponsorship for him as he embarks on his second year at a prestigious ballet school.
Hudson Miller, 12, whose family live in Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds, has completed his first year at the world-renowned Royal Ballet School’s training school White Lodge, at Richmond Park, Surrey, and has just begun Year 8.
SuffolkNews has followed Hudson’s journey since 2022, when he was accepted on to the Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate training programme.
Last year, Hudson, who feels ‘at home’ when he dances, earned a coveted place at White Lodge – and has been living his dream ever since.
His father, ex-professional footballer Ian Miller, wants to see if anyone is interested in sponsoring Hudson for Year 8, adding he ‘absolutely loved’ Year 7 and was very excited to be back.
Annual fees are a bottom-line figure of around £36,000, not including extra costs like uniform and piano lessons.
Ian also spoke of the financial strain due to the introduction of 20 per cent VAT to private school fees from January 2025, which would see the family have to pay an extra £7,000 a year.
He said: “Hudson is there because he’s a talented individual and actually he might not be able to fulfil that because of this VAT.”
Hudson’s first year at White Lodge, where he is a boarder, included him performing in the Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House at Christmas – which he ‘absolutely loved’ – and performing at Opera Holland Park, London.
Ian said: “Everything with the Royal Ballet is so well attended. Every performance is completely sold out and Hudson loves performing in front of all these people.”
The Royal Ballet School is one of the world’s most celebrated centres for classical ballet training. Former students include greats like Margot Fonteyn, Anya Linden and Kenneth MacMillan.
Hudson’s family are looking for anyone with an interest in dance or performing arts, or a business, to sponsor Hudson. Contact Ian on 07894 584722 or email dusty_83@hotmail.co.uk
