Dancer Gus goes against the grain

AGAINST THE GRAIN: Gus was often teased for his supposedly feminine hobby -- but remained committed to his craft.

Despite years of teasing and some punishing rehearsal schedules, Gus Syben has never regretted choosing ballet shoes over football boots.

Wairarapa College graduate Gus received the Beat Street Award for young people who have made an outstanding contribution to the arts at the 2015 Wairarapa Youth Awards.

The 19-year-old has also just completed his first year at the New Zealand School of Dance, one of New Zealand's most prestigious creative institutions.

Growing up in Masterton, he was a student at the Geraldine Inder School of Dance and Drama, and was a regular fixture in the school's performances as well as a teaching assistant in his last years at college.

Gus was nominated for his award by dance teacher Nicola Swallow and family friend Jeanette Hall for "going against the grain" to succeed in a female-dominated profession.

Despite his obvious talent, he said he was often taunted by classmates for learning dance -- but was undeterred and determined to make a living from his passion.

"It was pretty hard -- I did get a bit of flak," Gus said. "A lot of people couldn't understand why I'd want to pursue such a female-oriented career.

"But I knew early on that I couldn't let it bother me.

"If something's your passion, that should be all that matters -- and nothing else compares to how I feel when I dance."

Born in Napier, Gus started learning ballet at age five and started at Geraldine Inder's school at eight when his family moved to Masterton.

Under the tutelage of "amazing teachers" Miss Inder and Nicola Swallow, Gus studied classical, contemporary and hip hop dance.

He was eventually encouraged by Mrs Swallow to audition for the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington -- said to be one of the leading dance training providers in the southern hemisphere.

Gus said the audition process was "pretty intimidating".

"It was so prestigious, I didn't think I stood a chance," he said.

"There were all these people who had come from overseas, with amazing stories of the things they'd done and shows they'd been in -- and I was just a guy from a small town who did classes after school.

"But I got an email saying I'd got a spot -- it was unbelievable."

Gus is currently studying towards a Certificate in Contemporary Dance, and is in class "Monday to Friday, 9 to 5", as well as training sessions on a Saturday morning.

Classes are focused on improving dancers' technique, as well as on specialised areas such as partner dance, original compositions, and acrobatics and tumbling.

With such a demanding schedule, students are strongly encouraged to use the school's gymnasium and stick to a nutrition plan.

"It's pretty intense -- it was a shock to the system at first," Gus said.

"But it's a lot of fun, so it's easy to come to school every day."

As a student dancer, Gus has performed at several iconic Wellington events, such as the CubaDupa and Fringe Festivals, and the World of Wearable Arts, and hopes to join a contemporary dance company in Australia.

Dance teacher Mrs Swallow said Gus was always "respectful, alert and keen to learn".

"There's nothing egotistical about him at all -- he's just very genuine and always strives to do his best."

She said he was a role model for male dancers, having worked hard and stuck with his passion despite being bullied.

"All our young boys at school just want to be like Gus."