Opportunity for aspiring ballerinas

Two aspiring Horsham ballerinas will learn from the best in the business after securing spots in the Australian Ballet’s new virtual mentoring program.

Miranda Pike and Maddie Carracher are participating in the online program, which provides young, regional ballet enthusiasts with oneon-one mentoring by Australian Ballet dancers and artistic staff.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Australian Ballet is unable to perform on stage or run its annual regional tour, bringing ‘the magic of dance’ to regional communities.

Artistic director David Mcallister said the new virtual mentoring program would allow the company to continue to connect with and inspire the next generation of ballet dancers in regional communities.

He said ballet schools could nominate up to four of their ‘most advanced and talented young students’ to participate in the three-week program.

Horsham School of Dance principal Karen Booker said she had a couple of charges who fit the bill.

She said Miranda and Maddie had shown great commitment throughout the ‘difficult’ coronavirus period, attending online classes via Zoom.

“I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for them,” she said.

“They have each been assigned a mentor, an artist from the Australian Ballet, and they’ve been given a short variation to learn, which they will then discuss with their mentor and perform via video for their mentor to give them some feedback.”

Ms Booker said she was excited Miranda and Maddie would receive insight into life as a dancer.

“There’s more than the steps,” she said.

“There’s the musicality and performance side and they get a really good insight into that.

“I think this is something they will remember forever.”

Miranda said she looked forward to the opportunity.

“I’m excited about getting to speak to a mentor about how to do certain things and how they keep so in time with the music and make it look so graceful,” she said.

Mr Mcallister said the company was excited to provide the opportunity to some of Australia’s promising ballet dancers, helping foster talent and upholding a commitment to sharing the magic of dance in regional communities, even when ballet studios were closed. just learning