Highlighting the talents and the dedication of the stars of the future, Elmhurst Ballet School’s summer show, Voices & Virtues, was a sheer delight.

Presented by students of the school, performances included elements of classical ballet, jazz and modern dance; a refreshing and compelling mix of tradition and more modern influences on this most beautiful of art forms. This was a spectacle full of ambition, enthusiasm and bright prospects.

A collection of 10 short pieces, the strength of this show lay in the variety of styles presented. From the beauty of pure classical ballet, in the form of excerpts from Swan Lake, to the joyful and super-cool Sing Sang Sung - Yeah!, set to the music of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, it seems there is nothing these young dancers cannot do.

The exceptional training the school offers was evident in every second of this show, as students aged 11 to 19 demonstrated that hours of perseverance and practice result in skilled and accomplished performances. Particularly refreshing was the evident joy on these young people’s faces as they danced; they were clearly born to perform, and their delight in their chosen art form was clear to see.

Elmhurst Ballet School has been in Edgbaston for more than 20 years and is something of a hidden gem. Thousands of people must regularly pass its gates on the busy Bristol Road, and many must wonder what lies behind its walls. With strong ties to Birmingham Royal Ballet and working closely with many other organisations, the school is clearly focused on a policy of ‘dance for all’ and can only be commended for this. In her speech, the principal, Jessica Ward, spoke with justified pride of Elmhurst’s outreach programme and the opportunities it offers young people, not just those fortunate enough to earn a place to study at the school full-time but also to those in the wider community.

Voices & Virtues is the perfect showcase for the achievements of the students and staff of this remarkable institution. In this era of cuts to arts funding, events such as this must surely provide more than a glimmer of hope that there is a bright future for dance, and that the stars of the future are just waiting to emerge.

Voices & Virtues was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Tuesday 8 July at Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School, where it shows until Thursday 10 July