Six En Pointe School of Ballet dancers have been selected as finalists to attend Bangkok in December this year for the Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition.
Owner and director Renee Grinsted said thousands of hopeful dancers auditioned from across Singapore, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Malaysia, Philippines, Taipei, Mainland China and Australia.
Just a select few from each country were chosen to attend the finals.
“Not only is this a huge achievement for our young Australian Dancers but to have six coming from our school is quite remarkable and we are beyond proud,” Ms Grinsted said.
En Pointe School of Ballet’s Maya Conn will compete in the 13-14 years category, with Scarlett Graham selected in the 11-12 years category.
Students competing in the 9-10 years category are Jurie Jung, Anna Zhang, Luna Yuen and Nina Zhu.
The jury of judges for the finals includes some very esteemed individuals from the Australian Ballet School, The Royal New Zealand Ballet School, and principal ballerinas from around the world.
“Our students have worked extremely hard, they are a very special group of talented and dedicated individuals,” Ms Grinsted said.
“To have six local kids coming out of a humble suburban studio and making it into the finals of a world-class international competition is just amazing.
“The support that they have from our team, their families, and our En Pointe School of Ballet community is very special, and we are just delighted and honoured to be recognised on the world stage.”
En Pointe School of Ballet has studios in both Vermont and Kew and has been in operation for more than 10 years.
The school offers classes for students as young as three years old right up to certificate IV and VCE dance.
Students are offered the opportunity to sit annual formal examinations and take part in the school’s fully-staged productions, competitions, festivals and local events.
Staff are fully-qualified ex-professional dancers with a wealth of performing, training and industry experience.
They teach ballet using the Ballet Conservatoire Syllabus – based on the Russian Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet.
The Ballet Conservatoire training and assessment program emphasises correct placement, dynamics and performance quality, which are all inherent in the Vaganova method.
For more information, visit www.enpointeschoolofballet.com.au, email enpointeschoolofballet@gmail.com or call 0423 251 400.
