Ballet Ireland's summer schools give aspiring young ballerinas the chance to learn from professional dancers – and then to rub shoulders with them at the final performance, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON
THE NOTION that ballet is for posh little girls has long since been overtaken by the popularity of this classical dance form. And Ballet Ireland, which has been holding summer schools in arts centres throughout the 32 counties for the past 10 years, can take some credit for introducing it to girls – and some boys – who might otherwise never have considered putting on pumps.
The Civic Theatre in Tallaght was the first venue for the summer school, so it’s fitting that we join artistic director Stephen Brennan and the other professional dancers there to check out how the participants are getting on at this year’s ballet summer camp.
When we arrive, the dancers (all girls this year) are rehearsing for this year's production, The Emperor of China and the Nightingale. Once the warm-up is complete, groups of dancers practise their steps on stage while others put the finishing touches to the fans, head-dresses and parasols that they have made for the show.
“We have complete beginners to near professionals here,” says Brennan. “Many of them have been to some form of dance or drama class before, and our emphasis is on all aspects of a ballet production: the music, the drama, dance, mime as well as making the props.”
Brennan is proud that one of the teachers at this year’s camp – Zoë Ashe-Brown who is in her second year with Ballet Ireland dance company, came to her first ever ballet camp in the Civic Theatre 10 years ago.
“We are not in the business of talent searching, but coming to the summer school can ignite something in a young person if they’ve got the determination, perseverance and a will to succeed,” he says.
SO WHAT DOthe dancers think of this year's summer school? "It gives you a chance to appreciate a full ballet production," says Fiona (19).
“It’s the highlight of my summer. It’s a great way to meet and dance with professional dancers, and then, when we see them in their Christmas production, we know who they are,” says Aisling (16).
“It brings out the fun side of ballet, and you get to dance with professional dancers,” adds Maria (16).
The professional dancers not only teach the summer school participants, but dance alongside them in the show they perform for family on the last day of the summer school. Putting on the show is the highlight of the week for many of the participants.
“I like the warm-ups [the children pretend to be various animals as they prance around the stage during the warm-ups] and I like doing the nightingale steps and the petites jetés,” says Emily, who is six. “It’s fun upstairs in the art room and it’s fun downstairs on stage, too,” says another Emily, also six.
The Civic Theatre has been the test site for an alteration to the programme this year. Instead of the children being divided into two age groups and attending different sessions, the school comprises an hour of ballet in the morning and afternoon and an hour of making props in the art room in the morning and afternoon. Previously, the participants made the props at home in the evenings.
“This is more fun than ballet class, which is stricter,” says Caoimhe (10). Some of the girls at camp come from places as far as Blessington, Co Wicklow.
Niamh (12) lives in Cavan, and comes to stay with her granny every year to go to the school. “This is my seventh year to come. The dancing is really fun and having the show at the end is great,” she says.
“I’ve made loads of friends,” says Eadhaoin (12). All the 12-year-olds giggle in agreement that it would be even better if there were a few boys at ballet school too.
Ballet Ireland summer schools continue at Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare, from August 16-20. 045-883030, ballet-ireland.com
