SWAN-DERFUL
YOUNG DANCERS SELECTED FOR ENGLISH YOUTH BALLET SHOW
YOUNG dancers from Kirklees made all the right moves as they were selected to perform for the English Youth Ballet.
The group of eight fought their way through a tough audition process and will now star in Swan Lake at the Victoria Theatre, in Halifax.
Currently they are in rehearsals alongside professional dancers ahead of the show, which takes place on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8.
Among them is Imani Collier, 16, from Huddersfield, who attends Strickland Cook Theatre School as well as All Saints High.
She has also secured a place at performance school CAPA College despite having to have a break from the stage due to surgery.
Imani said: “I first started baby ballet at around two years old. I don’t really remember this but I’ve been told I was very active as a child.
“I love it when I achieve new personal goals, all the work towards them can be hard but it’s worth it.
“Since I had to have a complete break from dance to recover from the surgery. In that time I realised just how much I couldn’t live without dance in my life.
“Even in lockdown I had danced every day. I hope to have a professional career.”
Others who will appear as part of the 80-strong cast are Ava Barry, 14, from Birchencliffe, Lola Blackburn, 12, from Holmfirth, Lexy Connell, 12, from Lindley, Sylvie Kitterick, 11, from Birkby, Sienna Lister, 12, from Birchencliffe, and Isla Wilson, 11, from Oakes.
Youngest of the bunch is Kirkheaton Primary pupil Abigail Thompson, nine, from Mirfield, who attends the Silk School of Dance.
She began dancing at the age of three and said: “I was constantly twirling around the sofa and was obsessed with the cartoon Angelina Ballerina so my mum knew she had to get me into a dance class.
“It makes me so happy when I am on stage in costume under all the lights, there is no feeling like it. But it’s also being with my friends, my best friends are with me at dancing and they are my family.”
Ann Wall, English Youth Ballet (EYB) principal, added: “I wish I had danced with EYB when I was young. The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet.
“The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers and the audiences will never forget.”