Belizeans given an “invitation to the dance”

They are the next generation of dancers on whose shoulders rest the hope of keeping the art of ballet alive. It takes discipline and hard work to make the movements sync, the steps graceful, and the messages come to life…and for one group of young people, the months of preparations are over and it’s time to hit the stage.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Classical Ballet…it has become one of the favourite past times for ninety students between the ages of four and seventeen years old.

Mamie Martinez, Director, The Ballet Art School

?The classical ballet as a performing art is one of the original and the best ways of bringing to life the talents of our young people. You have the dance and the music that goes hand in hand and it creates beautiful poise in our students, confidence for being on stage. And although they may not go on to be professional ballerinas, it does have a very positive impact on all our students.?

The students are dancers from the Ballet Art School that is getting ready to present to the public its annual show.

Mamie Martinez

?This weekend we will be presenting ?Invitation to the Dance.? It is a presentation with different dances from famous ballets such as Bayadere, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, and many others; favourites like Copellia and it?s going to be a beautiful variety of classical ballet.?

Professor Helgar Brito, Choreographer

?I am very happy with my work in the school because the girls are very intelligent; they learn very good, little by little. The ballet class is not easy, it?s hard, but little by little they?re learning everything.?

The dancers started preparing for the show late last year and are now ready to perform before a packed audience.

There will be two performances this weekend at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. On Saturday night the curtain goes up at seven o’clock, and on Sunday afternoon the show starts at five. Tickets can be bought at the door for fifteen dollars reserved and ten regular.