Big steps for Alice as USA beckons

Young local ballet dancer Alice Beedie has been awarded a scholarship to study for four weeks at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy Summer Intensive after winning a dance scholarship at the Waitakere Performing Arts Festival.

"It is a very big step for Alice and a wonderful opportunity for her dancing career", says her teacher Debbie Gooch from local dance studio DEC (Dance Education Centre).

"Firstly, to have been awarded this over a number of very fine dancers in the Auckland and surrounding area is very impressive. The competition was of an extremely high standard, with some of the best young ballet dancers in the country."

Alice, pictured, has been planning to dance professionally for some time now. Her family fully supports her choices, no matter the sacrifices they may need to make for it.

"This is an opportunity for Alice to work with some of the world's most highly respected teachers and to advance her dance ability and skills. But it's also an opportunity to be seen by people who may help create the path for her in the future", says Debbie.

"Alice had said to me she wants to be like Delia Mathews - one of our students who made it to the Royal Ballet School and then into Birmingham Royal Ballet - and at this seminar she will work with teachers from the Royal Ballet School."

The summer intensive programme in Los Angeles will be directed by Andrea Paris-Gutierrez, who was named YAGP Outstanding Teacher in 2011.

"She will certainly get a taste of the reality. For some, this can put them off a future in dance, but knowing Alice, she will really thrive on it."

Alice has trained at the Dance Education Centre in a number of styles including ballet, urban dance, tap and contemporary, competition and production work.