Little ballerinas prepare for magical show

Many little girls dream of being a ballerina, but dance isn't just about flitting around like a fairy, Dannevirke dance teacher Melissa Martin says.

"Structure and discipline is the reason parents bring their children to dance and for little ones it develops their confidence, listening skills, social interaction and body and spatial awareness."

At the Melissa Martin Academy of Dance, 14 baby ballerinas in the preschool dance class have begun enthusiastic preparations for their end-of-year production.

"With pupils in the class ranging in age from two-and-a-half to 5, there will be plenty of rehearsal time before we pack into the town hall in six weeks' time," Miss Martin said.

For 3-year-old Imogene Kernaghan, dance is where she meets her friends.
"I see my friends and we like to dance. My favourite is fairy feet."

Imogene and her classmates will present their favourite segments from Frozen, in the production A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, which focuses on dreams, interwoven with elements of the story of Cinderella.

"We'll have 14 little Annas from Frozen on stage, with a snowman and the little ones are very excited," Miss Martin said.