Exciting opportunity for young dancer

Queen Margaret College student Heidi Craig was lucky enough to attend a summer ballet course at the prestigious English National Ballet School.

Heidi was one of only a few dancers to be selected for the course, which was held in London during the July school holidays.

Every day on the course was a little bit different, with students taking part in a variety of technique, pointe, contemporary and repertoire classes.

“I also took a pas de deux class with the boys, a character class to learn the different national dance styles and a master class with a guest teacher,” Heidi says.

Working with dancers from around the world was an invaluable experience for this young dancer.

“It was interesting working with dancers whose strengths are different to what I am used to,” Heidi says.

“The variety of dancers gave me the chance to look at ballet from a different perspective. For example using plie (bend) as a push off for a jump rather than a preparation.”

The highlight of the course for Heidi was on the final day when the dancers performed a repertoire piece and some contemporary excerpts to their parents and other tutors.

“I really love performing because it is an opportunity to shine and enjoy dancing rather than focusing on technique.”

Heidi began dancing at the tender age of three.

“I also loved watching the ballet because of the movement of the dancers – I wanted to be like them,” she says.

Heidi would love to return to London to train in the future and is hoping to be selected for the Royal Ballet School’s summer course next year.

Queen Margaret College is a leading Independent Girls School in Wellington providing seamless education from Pre-School through to Year 13. Founded in 1919, the College is an IB World School and the only girls school in Wellington to offer the IB Diploma.

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