The National Youth Ballet is an annual 12 month performing arts project for all students of dance in the Middle East aged between 8 and 18 years old.

Students will audition in September for roles in several pieces that will be created specially for them by artistic director and choreographer Helen Ainsworth. They will rehearse throughout the year finishing with a weekend in May of performances at The Madinat Theatre in Dubai.

In the summer of 2015 a week long Summer School will run to further develop the students skills. And prepare for the 2016 NYBD season Workshops will commence throughout the year with visiting artists and performers.  Although the primary focus will be on ballet, NYB will incorporate all styles of dance including, street jazz, tap, contemporary, and collaborating with drama companies to further develop the dancers learning.

In addition to the pieces choreographed by the artistic director, the NYBD will run a choreography competition for the students aged 12 and above whereby they will present a 3 minute piece (danced by fellow students) to a panel of judges. The best piece will be chosen to be developed and performed as a 5 minute piece in the final show. The choreographer will be awarded a small budget to provide costumes and scenery. Along side the production of the annual show opportunities will be provided to encourage creativity within the students allowing them to compete in a choreography competition, the winner of which will be given a budget for costume and set all of which will be designed by them allowing them to showcase their work during the National Youth Ballet Dubai program.

NYBD will use as many young people to fill production duties as possible, from set designers to stage managers, film makers to make up artists.

NYB will be produced to an incredibly high professional standard and match the level of other international youth ballet projects such as: National Youth Ballet UK, Canadian Youth Ballet Company and Australian Youth Ballet. Admission to the company is based purely on talent and potential, regardless personal circumstances

There will be no constraints when dealing with talented children who are struggling financially, there will be scholarships for both those who audition but cannot pay and those that performed well in previous years. There will a particular care taken with talented boys and the encouragement of boys within the dance environment.

Moving forward the project aims to make itself well known with in the GCC, touring to other locations within the GCC. Year on year the youth ballet will increase in numbers of auditionees being able to accommodate those flying in from neighboring countries or emirates, it will be a prestigious company to be a part of. The National Youth Ballet will represent the UAE talent of local dancers at the Expo 2020.