Giselle, a dancer's gift

Two Diocesan School students are all set to dance with the stars at the Royal New Zealand Ballet's season of Giselle next week. Giselle is 19th century ballet at its most bewitching - for a ballerina, it is the equivalent of Hamlet for an actor. Hannah Coleman and Kimberley Crossman are among six Auckland students who have been participating in the Royal NZ Ballet's mentoring programme over the past year. Hannah, who's mentored by the dancer Marysa Dalton, says being in the programme helped her decide to go to Ecole Ballet Studios in Sydney. Marysa, who's grown very fond of Hannah over the past year, even went to see her perform at the NZ National Ballet Awards in Christchurch this year. ``I was so proud to see her dance,'' says Marysa. ``She's a great dancer - I'm sure she'll go far.'' Kimberley, whose mother owns a dance academy, has danced since she was a 3-year-old. Naomi Davies, 18-year-old Kimberley's mentor, says it's been wonderful meeting someone who's so full of life and enthusiasm. ``Being a mentor has been a great experience for me and I'm glad to have met Kimberley.'' Giselle, Aotea Centre, Dec 6-10. Tickets, Ticketek, www.ticketek.co.nz, ph 307 5000. by Sharu Delilkan