Young Chichester-area dancers set to soar on stage

Mathilde Brook (16), Amelie Cannon (13), Madeline Dorricott (14), Isla Moore (ten), Amelie Taylor (14) and Caitlin Waldron (17) were chosen during competitive auditions on stage at The Kings Theatre. Their reward is to experience the life of a professional dancer in rehearsals as they prepare to perform alongside international professional dancers in English Youth Ballet’s Swan Lake at The Kings Theatre in Portsmouth from Friday-Saturday, April 28-29.

Caitlin (17) lives in Fishbourne, goes to Bishop Luffa School and is training at Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance. In Swan Lake, she is dancing the role of a swan: “I started dancing because my mum, like other mums, put me into ballet classes when I was three years old. She didn’t expect me to be doing it 14 years later! The best feeling about being a dancer is having the ability to express myself through movements rather than words. It gives me an escape and allows me to truly be me. The second best feeling about being a dancer is being part of the dance community. Some of my best friendships have been created through dance, and the dance community overall is such a positive and supportive space to be a part of. When rehearsing and performing with EYB, my main hope is to improve my confidence and performance skills. After years of being determined that I wanted to become a dance teacher, I have recently decided I want to perform in dance first.”

Taking part from the Chichester area are: Mathilde Brook, aged 16, playing a swan, attends Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance and St Philip Howard School; Amelie Cannon, 13, swan, The Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance, Bishop Luffa School; Madeline Dorricott, 14, swan, Rochelle Ballet School & Performing Arts, Bishop Luffa school; Isla Moore, ten, courtier, Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance, Chichester Free School; Amelie Taylor, 14, swan, Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance, Bishop Luffa School; Caitlin Waldron, 17, swan, Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance, Bishop Luffa School.