By Paul Yandall
Dance icon Sir Jon Trimmer got his toes tapping and hands clapping during a special Auckland performance by a group of twinkle-toed stars of the future.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet performer was the guest at a special performance by dance cooperative Boyzdance2 to celebrate his appointment as patron
of the troupe.
Sir Jon was treated to a jazz routine by a dozen dancers and spectacular flying solo barrel rolls performed by 12-year-old Paul Mathews.
"They were absolutely marvellous," said Sir Jon. "It's always been pretty difficult for young boys learning [to dance] but this was very exciting."
He said boys needed all the encouragement to dance they could get, and Boyzdance2 was one of the few troupes where they could go to learn.
Peer pressure to pursue activities such as sport meant even boys who wanted to dance were quickly discouraged.
"I was lucky. My sister taught me to dance from a young age," said Sir Jon.
"But there's a perception for boys that it's something only girls do, and that boys have to hide."
Boyzdance2 was formed in Auckland last year and teaches boys aged 5 upwards a variety of styles, from tap and ballet to contemporary and hip-hop. Its national coordinator, Jacqui Cesar, said the troupe, which numbered about 40, made its public debut in June.
"We must have been one of the most popular acts at the Celebration of Performing Arts," she said.
"We saw there was a lot of support for girls in dance, but not a lot for boys, so Boyzdance2 was set up to address that."
Jacqui Cesar said Sir Jon's involvement gave the group a figurehead to look up to, and also provided a fount of knowledge the dance network could tap.
The boys were enthusiastic learners and always brought some playground bravado to the dance studio.
"There's a bit of that macho thing.
"They like to see who can jump the highest, or do it fastest."
