A group of young dancers from Oxford are set to perform alongside international performers in an English Youth Ballet (EYB) production of Sleeping Beauty.
The nine Oxford youngsters were selected in March to join the 90-member cast.
They are 15-year-old Olenka Sopilnik, 14-year-old Megan Bell, 13-year-old Laura Sopilnik, 12-year-old Manon Chadder, 11-year-olds Anna Varney and Sakurako Ueda, 10-year-old Lily Cooper and nine-year-olds Emma Chin and Kezia Shorney.
The dancers attend a range of dance schools including Oxford City School of Dance, Natalie Jane Dance School, which holds classes in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, The Jill Stew School of Dance in Witney and East Oxford School of Ballet.
They were selected through auditions on stage at The Wycombe Swan Theatre in March, which featured more than 150 young dancers.
They took part in a full ballet class on the stage and the successful auditionees found out they had been selected on the day of the audition.
They are now in rehearsals, which will last 60 hours over 10 days, for the upcoming performance at the Wycombe Swan Theatre from August 9 to August 10.
The production will comprise three performances and promises to offer traditional aspects while incorporating new elements.
It will include six international principal dancers and will serve as a platform to showcase the talents of the 90 young performers.
EYB principal, Ann Wall, will be starring as Aurora in the production.
She said: "Being part of EYB is an amazing experience for any young dancer.
"I feel privileged to be a principal dancer with the company.
"I enjoy teaching and coaching all the young dancers and I see some of the most talented young dancers in the country.
"I feel honoured to be a role model to the dancers and help give them an insight into the world of professional ballet.
"Dancing with EYB is an experience that will stay with the young dancers forever."
EYB director, Janet Lewis, added: "English Youth Ballet’s aim is to provide performance experience to aspiring young dancers in beautiful venues close to where they live.
"The young dancers get to experience what life is like in a professional ballet company.
"They learn about developing their artistic and performance skills as well as improving their technique.
"I am always amazed at how quickly the young dancers progress and how positive they are when presented with new challenges."
Tickets for English Youth Ballet’s performance of Sleeping Beauty can be bought by calling 0343 310 0060 or by visiting the theatre's website.
There are now former EYB young performers in some of the world’s best companies – including the Royal Ballet.
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