Townsville Bulletin

Kaylee finding perfect balance between class and ballet

- KELSIE IORIO

DREAM OPPORTUNIT­Y: Townsville dancer Kaylee Robertson, 12, has spent a day with the Queensland Ballet after being named a finalist in a statewide competitio­n. TOWNSVILLE ballerina Kaylee Robertson has realised a dream after being named a Suncorp Wish Upon a Ballet Star finalist by Queensland Ballet.

Ten children across the state were chosen to spend a day with Queensland Ballet in Brisbane last week as they rehearsed for The Nutcracker, with artistic director Li Cunxin. The final winner of the competitio­n will be announced soon and will have the chance to perform a small role in the show.

Townsville Academy of Performing Arts dancer Kaylee, 12, was chosen as a finalist after the photo she submitted portraying the balance between dance and school caught the judges’ eyes.

“I was so shocked and surprised, I didn’t expect to get in, there were about 500 entries,” Kaylee said.

Kaylee’s mum Lisa Robertson said Kaylee came up with the half- uniform half- leotard idea ( inset) and the concept of the photo herself.

“It probably came from me nagging her to do her homework,” Ms Robertson said. “She wrote a beautiful little blurb that gave credit to the dance school and the teachers and how much work they put in.”

The Year 6 student has been dancing since the age of three and Ms Robertson said the opportunit­y to spend the day with Queensland Ballet was incredibly inspiratio­nal for a young dancer.

“I’m not a dance person ( and) we were really quite in awe of it all,” Ms Robertson said. “Watching their dedication was wonderful.”

 ?? Picture: EVAN MORGAN ??
Picture: EVAN MORGAN

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