Talented dancer Violet Davis is the latest MJ Dance Studio student to be accepted into the Australian Ballet School’s Interstate Training Program.
Violet will travel to Melbourne when time permits to participate in the program and be taught by some of Australia’s best ballet instructors.
MJ Dance Studio’s Ella Dyson and Olivia Carey were also accepted to participate in the program, with Ella selected late last year and Olivia earlier this year.
MJ Dance Studio director Maria Slape is extremely proud of Violet and said the extra exposure to ballet would be a wonderful experience for her.
“She is a very, very smart dancer, she takes on corrections really well, she listens and is a very dedicated hard worker,” she said.
“She is an all rounder and she is very talented in many aspects.”
At just nine years old, Violet has shone in the spotlight and caught the eyes of judges numerous times, which Ms Slape credits to her hard-working attitude.
“She is determined, if she cannot get something she will just work and work at it and that is why she has been so successful,” she said.
“She wants to succeed in everything she does. It is very much Violet wanting to be successful that gets her the rewards.”
Violet is dedicated to attending her classes each week, which include ballet, and Ms Slape said constant, good training was the key to everything.
“If you have got good technique, it takes you all the way,” she said.
“We really like to train our kids correctly and we have had such success with children going onto great, successful careers that our training speaks for itself.
“We always try to strive for each individual student to be the very best they can be.”
“We also always encourage the kids to get lots of different experiences in lots of different aspects, whether it is going to summer school or amazing comps.”
Ms Slape said having three students in the program was extremely rewarding, however it was uncommon for a rural studio to achieve this.
“Because the city schools have more facilities, we have to work hard to keep up with them,” she said.
“It is unusual to have three kids attending the interstate program at the same time. We have not had three kids attend the interstate program at the same time before.
“We’re very blessed the culture at the studio is very proactive and parents and students alike trust in what we’re trying to achieve with our kids. It is a wonderful culture, we are very lucky.”
Ms Slape said the program would have exceptional benefits for the girls, with both life experience and expanding their ballet training.
“All three students will gain so much, and for those who are thinking of pursuing a career in ballet, it is just a wonderful opportunity,” she said.
“They can work out if ballet is right for them, decide if ballet is the way they want to take their careers and if it is what they want to do.”
“We are thrilled these three girls have an opportunity to witness what happens at the Australian Ballet School.”
