Tauranga dance students set to perform with visiting Russian ballet troupe

KEY POINTS:

• Young Tauranga ballet students share the stage with visiting Russian ballet troupe

Sixteen young ballet dancers will be joining an acclaimed Russian ballet troupe onstage at Baycourt after weeks of preparation.

The students from Tauranga's Dance Education Centre will take to the stage with the visiting Imperial Russian Ballet Company for the two final shows in Tauranga today, after the show opened on Friday evening. The dancers are performing in Sleeping Beauty, one of the three acts that make up the "A Russian Triple Bill" performance by the Imperial Russian Ballet Company.

Over the past few years, students from the Dance Education Centre have been invited by the visiting Russian ballet company to join its touring dancers on stage.

Dance Education Centre students Lucia Moore, 10, and Catherine McLeod, 8, are two dancers who will be performing with the Russian company for the second time after they starred in The Nutcracker last year.

Both girls said they were "teeming with excitement" to take part in the performance again.

"Last year it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again," Lucia said.

Dance Education Centre is run by Prue and Debbie Gooch, and they have both given up their spare time to prepare and rehearse for the special occasion.

The dance school is contacted months in advance and given the material that the students need to learn for the show.

The children's commitment to learning the right steps for the challenging routine has been admirable, Debbie Gooch said.

"They really enjoy the experience. It takes a lot of rehearsing."

There had been regular practices in the lead-up to the big day, and the youngsters even had a rehearsal mistress come into the school and help them with preparations.

Aside from the excitement of the night, the "rare opportunity" can also open the eyes of youngsters to what's possible in the world of dance, she said.

"They get a really good taste of what theatre and ballet productions are all about. It gives them a first-hand experience of professional productions."

Prue Gooch said the invitation was a "cherished opportunity" for students and staff.

"We're very honoured to be involved in this.

"It's also extra special with the kids performing in Sleeping Beauty, one of the all-time classics."

Baycourt's David Tauranga said the opportunity for the students to work with the Russian dancers was "amazing".

"It's even more amazing to have members of the community - our young people - like the DEC students to be able to collaborate with the dancers. We hope they have the time of their life."

Tauranga hoped that the performance sparks the realisation in the students that it's possible to tour the world through dance.

The two performances on Saturday are at 2pm and 7.30pm. Book tickets through www.ticketek.co.nz or call 07 577 7188