KEY POINTS:
She works with one of the world's most respected choreographers, Angelin Preljocaj, but for yesterday at least, it was Claudia de Smet's show.
Twenty-six aspiring young dancers took to the ASB Theatre's stage, their bare feet squeaking on the white vinyl-coated stage, to learn from de Smet - the artistic assistant for Ballet Preljocaj.
The French ballet troupe are in New Zealand for the Auckland Festival, AK07, where their show Les 4 Saisons opened on Wednesday night.
Over the course of two hours, the group learnt a sequence from the contemporary dance work before putting it to the dramatic soundtrack of Vivaldi's opus, The Four Seasons.
"They were good, yes," said de Smet. "The work is very precise and there is a lot of information for them to take in."
Fifteen-year-old Gareth Okan said he had enjoyed the morning workshop and the chance to try out Preljocaj's contemporary style of dance.
"It was interesting working with a different company because I normally do the Royal New Zealand Ballet master classes and there was quite a difference," he said.
Pint-sized 14-year-old ballerinas Anastazja Kramarz and Rhiannon Fairless were also thrilled to take part in the day.
"We saw the show last night and it was amazing," they said.
Ballet Preljocaj Les 4 Saisons is on tonight until Sunday at the Aotea Centre's ASB Theatre.
What's On: AK07
Today
Promising "South Pacific-inspired grooves", Aronas play at the Famous Spiegeltent at 7pm.
The Australian Art Orchestra presents Ruby's Story at the Auckland Town Hall's Concert Chamber at 7pm. Featuring the vocal talents of Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach.
Tomorrow
Fresh from the world's leading experimental musical instrument designers, S3D begins at Galatos, until Monday.
Rock meets indie music at this weekend's Westpac Young Producers' show, Ripped. Featuring local bands, markets and Auckland's first Air Band competition.
Fourteen Auckland art galleries take part in The Art Link tour today. $2 buys an Art Link pass and bus services run throughout the day until 6pm, departing from Britomart's D6 bus stop.
Sunday
The World War II play Strange Resting Places begins at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Local jazz veteran Nathan Haines plays a three-hour set at Red Square's Festival Club from 7.30pm.
