10-Year-Old Girl Inspired by “Strictly Come Dancing” Attends Royal Ballet
10-year-old ballet dancer from Norfolk, Jessica, has won a place on a prestigious ballet training program run by the Royal Ballet School.
This program, the Junior Associate Programme, trains a small number of talented young dancers alongside regular classes. Competition is high in this program which only accepts a small number of dancers out of 2,000 people.
Jessica has been dancing since she was four and wants to be the next Darcey Bussell. Darcey Bussell is a retired English ballet dancer who trained with the Royal Ballet and was a judge on the TV show Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to BBC Norfolk, Jessica said, “My legs just wanted to move. I did watch Strictly Come Dancing when I was younger. I was just, ‘Wow. I want to do that.’”
Since she received her invitation to the Royal Ballet, she has been training hard with determination. Jessica dances at Noise and Chance School of Dance, and the owner, Trina Lee, said that she has always been “very energetic.” Ms. Lee also commented that the young dancer has “beautiful” technique and a brilliant “attitude.” “She’s very passionate about it, and if you can get that mix right within a child, you know that they can take themselves far. Big things and big dreams can come from small places,” Lee added.
Jessica said of her passion for dancing that “I just feel special. I just feel in my comfort zone, and I just feel relaxed.” Furthermore, although Jessica had to give up parties and trips with friends for dancing, she remained steadfast in her decision to dance. When Jessica was notified that she had received a spot, she “jumped up and down and cried”.
Jessica’s mother, Lucy, 40, is also extremely proud of her daughter’s determination, according to the BBC.
The Royal Ballet School was founded in 1931 by Dame Ninette de Valois and is based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. It is also the United Kingdom’s leading classical ballet company and among the most renowned in the world. The company blends classical tradition with innovation and performs important works by renowned choreographers. The Royal Ballet School has been under the leadership of Kevin O’Hare since 2012 and the musical direction of Koen Kessels since 2015. Christopher Wheeldon also composed major works such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The Royal Ballet aims to support the art of classical ballet, educate, and inspire.
Jessica’s dedication and passion promise a bright future as she begins her exciting journey with the Royal Ballet.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cn5kvydld40o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx24325lle2o
https://www.rbo.org.uk/about/the-royal-ballet#:~:text=The%20Royal%20Ballet%20is%20one,and%20Artistic%20Associate%20Christopher%20Wheeldon.