By AMY SMART
With arms perfectly poised and legs stretched, 14-year-old ballet dancer Jade Sperling delighted the audience at Friday's 50th Tauranga Festival of Performing Arts show.
She confidently graced the stage in her bold black and red tutu, her sleek hair tied back in a bun, complemented with a big red
flower.
Jade received one of the loudest rounds of applause in the classical ballet 13- to 15-year-old section of the festival at Baycourt.
"It's a thrill to get on stage and entertain audiences," she said.
Jade has 10 to 15 hours of lessons per week at Matua Dance Education Centre. She has Fridays and Sundays off, but practises on those days too.
She is competing in six dances during this festival. "Strong competitiveness like this makes you strive to be better."
Her tutor choreographs her dances - if she does not like something, Jade sticks with it and works hard to improve it.
Jade started ballet at the age of four and has competed since she was 10. She also does jazz and tap dancing.
Her friend's older sister inspired her to start ballet.
"I'll definitely carry on with it," she said.
Jade said she would like to be involved in dancing when she was older, possibly professionally or as a teacher.
The week-long festival ends today with the Golden Anniversary Festival Concert at Baycourt's Centennial Theatre from 3pm. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 students, $25 for a family pass.
