Lurgan dancer lands prized training place as part of Belfast International Ballet Festival
A young ballerina from Lurgan has been given the opportunity of professional training from some of the world’s top dancers and teachers.
Ellen Thompson has secured a place in the highly sought-after ‘High Points Youth Ballet Summer Intensive’ programme as part of Belfast International Ballet Festival, which runs from July 27 to August 1.
The programme runs ahead of the main festival and leads to a performance at The MAC, Belfast on July 31.
It provides an opportunity for promising young dancers to experience training from internationally acclaimed dancers and teachers.
Now in its third year, Belfast International Ballet Festival brings together more than 50 young dancers, professional artists and ballet enthusiasts from Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, England, Portugal and Turkey.
Home-grown ballet talent including Luc Burns and Anna McCoy will return to share their skills and experience with local audiences and young dancers. Students will also learn from a number of distinguished guest teachers.
Ellen currently dances with Respira Dance School and has completed her Grade 3 RAD ballet. She has performed in local festivals and competitions from a young age, placing well and enjoying the opportunity to perform.
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Ellen first joined High Points Youth Ballet at the age of eight and has since performed in The Spring Gala and The Nutcracker. This will be her second Belfast International Ballet Festival, where she is delighted to be performing the solo she took to the Irish National Youth Ballet competition with High Points Youth Ballet.
She has also featured in a documentary produced by Ronan Films for Cúla4 children’s TV, where she showcased her talent for ballet and spoke in Irish about why she loves it so much.
Rana O’Brien, managing director of High Points Youth Ballet CIC, congratulated Ellen on her opportunity.
"Belfast International Ballet Festival celebrates the calibre of ballet talent and ambition we have here in Northern Ireland, and we are thrilled to have representation from across the country with dancers like Ellen.
"A central aim of the festival is to allow young dancers to work alongside and share the stage with role models from Northern Ireland who have established international careers in ballet. We are excited to showcase the talent we have here and to give young dancers a meaningful opportunity to learn, perform and be inspired.”