Young dancer leaps into national school
When talent, dedication and a love of the limelight come together, sometimes a star is born, like Invercargill ballet dancer Dominic Burrows.
Dominic, 15, was thrilled to receive confirmation of a place at Wellington’s New Zealand School of Dance this week, having seen off stiff competition to become one of just 14 selected from a total of 170 applicants for 2018.
Now the James Hargest College student will be packing his bags for a new ‘‘life in dance’’ come the new year - a transition generating a mix of emotions for the teenager and his family.
‘‘Alongside being extremely happy to have finally realised my goal of taking this next important step in dance, I’m a little bit sad to be leaving friends and family, and little old Southland,’’ Dominic said.
‘‘I think everyone’s feeling the same way. I’ll only just be 16 next month, so it’s going to be a big responsibility to look after myself more. But I’m looking forward to it, definitely.’’
Focusing solely on dance and dancerelated subjects would also mean dropping regular NCEA subjects such as maths and English, Dominic said.
‘‘I won’t miss school studies too much. I’m excited to be able to immerse myself in dance.’’
That total dedication to his overriding passion had helped secure Burrows his place in the capital, and would stand him in good stead for his future career, dance tutor of four years Shelley Coutts said.
‘‘Dominic has exceptional technical and performance attributes, and a work ethic to go with it.’’
Coutts said it was only very occasionally that the combination of talent and dedication she saw in Dominic came around.
‘‘There’s no question in my mind we’ll be seeing Dominic on stage with the Royal New Zealand Ballet one day.’’