SIX YOUNG ballet dancers from the Winchester area will be make a special performance this month.

The young dancers aged between eight and fourteen years-old are members of the English Youth Ballet (EYB) and they will be performing a double Bill of the Nutcracker Suite & Ballet Études at the Salisbury City Hall from April 21-22.

All the soloist and ‘corps de ballet’ roles in the production will be performed by 80 of the finest dancers, aged eight to eighteen from the surrounding area.

The dancers from the Winchester area are Maria Whittle, 8, from Wherewell, Poppy Corbett, 9, from Ropley, Serena Lee, 10 from Winchester, William Pemble, 10 from Hursley, Scarlet Syder 13 from South Wonston and Finn Gurney, 14 from Winchester.

Asked about his dancing, and being part of English Youth Ballet Finn Gurney said: “I started dancing when I was 10 years old because I really enjoyed doing it at home. I had friends who danced and I wanted to dance too. I am excited about dancing with English Youth Ballet, especially the show at the end because I love to perform. I am not really sure what I want to do in the future but I am keeping my options open with dancing and the arts.”

Janet Lewis MBE, EYB founder and director said: “The company is especially excited about presenting our newest ballet - Ballet Études in Salisbury. The music by Carl Czerny is absolutely beautiful and the ballet cleverly introduces the audience to the rigours of classical ballet training and performance.”

Oliver Speers is one of EYB’s principal dancers, who previously danced with the Royal Ballet Company, coaches the young dancers in rehearsals. He said “The young dancers are treated like professional dancers during rehearsals. We work them hard but the results are fantastic. They learn what the life of a professional dancer is like. They are living their dream and they just love it”

If you wish to see this production it is on Friday April 21 at 7.30pm and Sat April 22 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. For tickets call: 01722 434434 or visit: www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk.