Sheffield dancers receive national recognition as they prepare for unforgettable performance
“The best feelings about being a dancer is when you've been working hard on some tricky choreo and it finally clicks.”
Two talented Sheffield dancers have earned themselves a place in a prestigious national ballet production.
Alex Care, aged 12 from Bracken Hill, along with Eliza Dolman, aged nine, from Mosborough, are currently immersed in rehearsals and are experiencing the life of a professional dancer.
They, along with 98 other elite dancers from across the UK, are going to take part in the English Youth Ballet production of Swan Lake.
Regarded as one of the most timeless of ballets, Swan Lake is a legendary classical ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875. It tells the tragic romance of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, who is cursed by an evil sorcerer to spend her days as a swan and her nights as a human. It consists of four acts that blend themes of romance, magic, and ultimate sacrifice.
Alex, who trains at Cox Dance Academy. Says he began dancing at the age of three.
“I think I've always been dancing, but have had lessons since I was three and was inspired by the boys I saw dancing when I was at my sisters dance lessons,” he said.
“Whilst I was waiting for them to finish their lessons the older boys would show me their dances and teach me the choreography - so I've always wanted to dance!
“The best feelings about being a dancer is when you've been working hard on some tricky choreography and it finally clicks. Being able to perform on stage with your new friends is so exciting.
“I’m looking forward to learning the story of Swan Lake and learning different styles of ballet and being able to perform on a proper stage in a theatre will be such an amazing experience. Meeting and dancing with new people is so good and using the ballet moves we learn in lessons to create something beautiful."
Eliza, who trains at DNA Dance Studios, also started dancing when she was just three-years-old. She added: “I was inspired by my older sister as I went to see her in a dance show when I was very little. I loved her ballet dance the most.
“The best feeling about being a dancer is when you are on stage and people are watching you.
“I am hoping to learn from the professional ballerinas how to improve my ballet techniques. I would like to achieve holding my arabesque for 30 seconds. I'm most looking forward to being on stage in a professional production."
Excitement is building as they will take the stage alongside internationally acclaimed professional dancers at the Nottingham Theatre Royal from Friday, July 17 to Saturday, July 18.