Local dancers in prestigious ballet production

The talented dancers will be taking to the Grand Opera House stage alongside principal dancer Amy Drew and 6 other international principal dancers.

They gained their places in English Youth Ballet at an audition in November attended by over 300 of the regions’ most talented young dancers.

The magical production of The Sleeping Beauty is being presented at the Grand Opera House in Belfast for three performances from April 15-26, 2014.

The young cast are currently engaged with the professional dancers in rehearsals at Methodist College Belfast in a 10-day intensive rehearsal process.

Australian principal ballerina, Amy Drew, says: “The young Northern Ireland dancers we are working with have great energy and attack.

“Working in a professional environment gives the students a unique insight into life in a ballet company.

“They are so lucky – I wish there had been something like EYB in Australia when I was training! I feel very privileged to be a principal with the EYB as I get to work with some of the UK’s most talented young dancers. I find them incredibly inspiring!”

Alix Hull, a 14-year-old Limavady Grammar student who is training at the Rainbow School of Dance, spoke about her dancing, The Sleeping Beauty and her future: “I am fourteen and I started doing ballet when I was

three.

“I don’t know why I started but I just really enjoy it and I’ve done it for so long and I would never want to quit.

“I would like to do performing arts as a career.

“Perhaps I would like to do West End and musicals. I’ve performed in the pantomime in the Forum in Londonderry and Londonderry Musical Society.

“I am looking forward to English Youth Ballet to spend a lot of time with other people who want to do ballet.”