Young Bay of Plenty ballerinas win roles in Royal New Zealand Ballet

Eva Jeffries, 9 (left), and Amelia Tapsell, 9. Photo/George Novak

Bay ballerinas Eva Jeffries and Amelia Tapsell are living their dream.

The 9-year-olds are performing with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in its rendition of Jane Campion's The Piano, which showcases in Auckland tonight.

They made the cut after auditioning in Wellington and were up against 130 other young hopefuls vying for 10 spots in the Auckland show and other centres around New Zealand.
The talented youngsters are friends and train at Dance Avenue in Greerton.

Eva said she was excited and it was a real privilege.

Her older sister Alice had danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet so she felt proud to carry on the tradition.

Amelia admitted she was feeling a "little bit nervous" but would take it in her stride.

"I'm really looking forward to dancing on the big stage."

The duo want to be professional ballerinas in the future and said when they found out they would be in The Piano there was a lot of screaming and shouting.

Ballet teacher Lisa Wilson said it was an amazing feat for the girls.

"It's so exciting and a real coup because they have worked so hard in class."

She put forward their names to the Royal New Zealand Ballet and encouraged them to audition.

The experience would be invaluable and a massive opportunity, Lisa said.

"They will get an awful lot out of it and to make the Auckland show is huge."

Children as young as 2 or 4 can start ballet and Lisa said it was a popular form of dance.

"I think people are going back to the discipline of ballet. Our classes are pretty big with 10 to 15 kids in most classes."

There was also a lot to be gained apart from the physical side, she said.

"You have got posture and learning how to stand in line and wait your turn.

"But there are other things like learning to be confident and old-fashioned values like respect.

"They have to be quiet and do what they are told and practice. That is the hardest thing — to go home and practice."

Ballet had not changed for hundreds of years, Lisa said.

"It won't ever change and it's really good for these kids to learn about the classics and discipline.

"Plus they get to wear tutus and tiaras, and who wouldn't like that?"

Amelia Tapsell, 9, and Eva Jeffries, 9. Photo/George Novak

The Piano

Twenty-five years ago, cinema-goers around the world were captivated by an extraordinary tale of desire, violence and hope.

The story of Ada McGrath and her daughter Flora, husband Alastair and lover Baines unfolded against the wild grandeur and desolation of Aotearoa, as Jane Campion's award-winning film took audiences on a visceral journey into New Zealand's imagined past, as it had never been portrayed before.

Drawing on the rich inspiration of The Piano, the Royal New Zealand Ballet will stage the world premiere of this new full-length dance work by Jiri Bubenicek.

Originally conceived as a short work for Dortmund Ballet, The Piano, the ballet is now re-imagined and expanded for the RNZB, giving Ada's story a new and distinctively New Zealand voice and, in dance, a powerful new means of expression.