Young dancers thrilled to perform in professional ballet

They were chosen to be part of the 95-strong cast of English Youth Ballet’s (EYB’s) production of Giselle after hugely competitive auditions.

The youngsters performed alongside international professional dancers at the Nottingham Theatre Royal.

They included 10-year-old Stathern Primary School pupils, Poppy Thompson and Ella-Rae Young plus Belvoir Priory Academy student, Penelope Leonard, who is 14.

The other three were Milie Calder (14), Lucy Corner (16) and 18-year-old Maddy Irving.

Lucy, Penelope, Poppy and Ella-Rae are all members of the Belvoir Dance Academy, which is based at Bottesford and Stathern.

Poppy said: “I started dancing when I was two-years-old.

"I started dancing in a local class and then moved to Belvoir Dance Academy when I was four.

"I performed in a show one week after starting there and loved the feeling of being on stage.

“I love having fun and improving when I’m dancing."

EYB principal, Olivia Richards, starred as Giselle in the production.

She said “I was lucky to be able to dance with EYB in Cardiff when I was a young dancer.

"The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet.

"I love now working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance challenging and iconic roles and I also teach the young dancers and see them progress.

"The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers, and the audiences, will never forget.”