A TEEN from Weymouth dances on the airwaves as she joins a prestigious ballet company for a national tour.
Imogen Breaks, 19, a final year dance student, has signed up with renowned graduate performance company Ballet Central for a four-month tour of 11 venues across England. They will appear at the Bridport Arts Center next month.
Imogen attended Budmouth College and trained at Weymouth Dance Studio and Royal Ballet Associates. She is now in the final year of a three-year BA (Hons) Professional Dance & Performance at the Central School of Ballet in London, where competition for places is fierce.
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Central is a global professional dance training center offering graduates employment opportunities with the world’s leading dance companies and international musical theater productions. Students join the Ballet Central touring company to gain professional performance experience and the opportunity to work with top choreographers until they graduate in July.
Ballet Central will present three new pieces this year, a mix of original pieces by distinguished choreographers and a revival of an existing contemporary work.
Imogen said, “I particularly enjoyed learning repertoire with Mthuthuzeli November for the Ballet Central tour, gaining incredible insight into the creative process. This particular style also provided an exciting challenge and inspiration for my own future work. I would like the opportunity to have a career as a dance performer, focusing on classical ballet and neoclassical works.
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Mikaela Polley, Artist in Residence, said, “The experience of working with renowned choreographers in the creative process is invaluable for student dancers. They learn to absorb, understand and interpret the story of each piece and the different ways of working of choreographers. This accelerates their growth as future professionals and helps prepare for the transition to corporate life when they graduate in July.
Kate Coyne, Artistic Director of Central, said, “Joining Ballet Central and the experience of performing on tour sets our dancers apart and supports their future employability in the dance industry. Performance is the ultimate goal of professional dance students. The opportunity to carry out all their training in front of a live audience meets their ambitions and stimulates new learning. Audiences benefit from discovering new talent and dynamic choreography in theaters across England. It is a joy for our dancers and for the public.
The tour started in April and continues in July.
Catch the show at Bridport Arts Center on Saturday 11th June. Tickets are £15 (£13 discount) and can be purchased from www.bridport-arts.com or 01308 427183.
