LILY: TAKE A DANCE CHANCE
Teen relishes opportunity
Crieff teen’s ballet opportunity
An aspiring Strath ballet star has urged fellow budding dancers to audition for a place at a prestigious school run by one of the world’s most famous dancers.
Lily Heming from Crieff is currently undertaking full- time dance training after impressing the Olivier Award-winning dance legend Peter Schaufuss during an audition for a place at his Edinburgh Festival Ballet School.
The 16 year-old has relished the opportunity to be a part of the school in its first year and has noticed a significant improvement in both her skills and confidence since joining.
Auditions take place on Saturday, February 22, for a limited number of coveted places to study from September this year.
And the former Morrison’s Academy pupil has encouraged fellow performers to grasp the potential opportunity.
Lily said: “Training to be a professional ballet dancer is hard work but it’s so worth it.
“The tutors at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School really encourage you to perfect the basic ballet techniques first then help you build your skills from there so that you can become the best dancer you can be.
“Since starting the course, my technical skills have improved so much and I’ve loved the experience.”
Lily went on to explain: “I started dancing when I was three or four and have always loved performing.
“I’m very determined to succeed and, when I finish my training, my dream would be to join a professional ballet company so that I can travel the world doing what I love.”
The teenager continued: “I’d encourage anyone who’s considering auditioning for a place at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School to do it – there’s nothing to be nervous about as the auditions are done in a group and are quite relaxed.
“It’s a good experience. When I was offered a place on the full-time course after my audition I couldn’t believe it.”
Those auditioning will compete for the chance to secure one of only 20 coveted places on the school’s part-time course – suitable for those aged 12 and over – and 20 places on its full-time training course, which is geared towards dancers aged 16 and over.
During the audition, dancers will be put through their paces at a two- hour masterclass by Edinburgh Festival Ballet School principal Johan Christensen.
Successful applicants will be notified within one week of their audition.
Dancer, choreographer and director Schaufuss runs the Edinburgh Festival Ballet School and founded the English National Ballet in 1988.
He said: “Edinburgh Festival Ballet School provides a place where some of the finest young performers in Scotland can go to obtain a professional full-time dance education while living and training in Edinburgh.
“I wanted to pass on what I have learnt through all my years of experience in the dance world and we have been delighted with the success of the pilot course run in the past year.
“I’ve been heartened to witness firsthand the progress of our full-time cohort and younger part-time dancers.
“We are auditioning for places on our full-time school and our part-time school so there are opportunities for both experienced students who are already on the way to making a career as a dancer, as well as those who have raw talent and the desire to succeed but only basic experience of ballet.”
Audition applications can be made by sending an email to school administrator Lee Walls via lee@rosetheatreedinburgh. com.
For more information, send an email to www.edinburghfestivalballet.
• Pics: Greg Macvean Photography.