American ballet dream move for Moneymore dancer

Following three years of training at the renowned Central School of Ballet in London, Ruaidhri will shortly graduate with an anticipated BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance.

Sought-after contracts in top ballet companies are the goal of every student dancer but they are not easily achieved.

Ruaidhri, 21 has been dancing since he was nine years old.

“I’ve come a very long way in my journey here at Central and I am very grateful for what they’ve given me,” he said.

“Taking part in the Ballet Central tour in this my third and final year at Central has been a very important part of my time here as it really brought together the first two years training so I could use this skills I have learnt to perform for many different audiences.

“Also working with choreographers such as Christopher Bruce and Christopher Hampson has been extremely rewarding technically and artistically as they’ve given advice on what they would look for in a dancer.

“The Ballet Central tour has given me the skills necessary for life with a touring company and being able to organise myself for periods where I’m away from where I am based.

“I’m so excited about my new job. It’s always been a dream of mine to live and dance in America and I’m so happy that upon graduating my first job will be in the States.

“I can’t wait to work with the company as the ballet masters at Milwaukee Ballet II have trained at all the major dance schools around the world: Paris Opera, the Bolshoi, the School of American Ballet and the national school in Cuba.

Ruaidhri added: “I am nervous as I’ll be living in a different time zone from my family but mostly excited because it’s thanks to them and their incredible support that I’m where I am today.”

Sara Matthews, Director of Central School of Ballet comments: “I am proud that so many of our graduating students have been able to achieve such fantastic contracts over the years. This is an excellent opportunity for Ruaidhri, a very talented student and we will follow his progress with interest.”

Ruaidhri has already become accustomed to dancing in front of large appreciative crowds. He has nearly completed a five month national tour of Great Britain with Central’s touring company Ballet Central which included venues such the Lowry in Salford Quays and the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House. The varied and highly skilled repertoire that the company offers, embracing Classical and Neo-Classical Ballet, dynamic Contemporary Dance, Jazz works and narrative pieces is very popular, offering audiences a chance to see tomorrow’s dance professionals.

Ballet Central is formed from final year students at Central, seen as invaluable experience of pre-professional touring, not available through any other dance schools on such a scale.

Students not only perform but also help with all aspects of staging, from technical lighting to wardrobe.

If you would like to help fund Ruaidhri’s trip to the US, please visit gofund.me/wm8j9k