Boys in Ballet: Meet Adam

As part of 'Get Scotland Dancing', we have a "Bring a boy to Ballet" week, 10-16 March and thought you might like to meet some of our male students...

Get Scotland Dancing is a nationwide initiative with a number of dance events running throughout the year and across the country, including "Get Dancin" offering free dance classes across Scotland. Our 'Bring a boy' week hopes to introduce boys to the world of dance as a fun and energetic activity.

Meet our boys...

We are especially proud of our male dance students and, as part of 'Get Dancin' week, would like to highlight their achievements, dedication and determination.

First up, is Adam Smith (15) who currently attends our ballet classes. Here is what he has to say about dance:

• When did you start dancing? I started jazz and tap at start of P7 after watching my sister in the dance show, a few months later I wanted to do more classes, which led me to do exams. My results boosted my confidence so I wanted to do even more classes. After that I started Street Fusion, which I did for a couple of years (whilst still doing jazz and tap) and even decided I wanted to start ballet when I was about 13. (Never thought i would see myself do that!) Now the only style of dance I do is ballet!
• Tell us about your ballet experience so far... I started in Grade 3 then got into Majors a year later. I did my RAD Intermediate Foundation exam after a few months and also moved into grade 5 at that time. Being in Majors made me consider a career in ballet so I started to take it very seriously. Last May I successfully auditioned for Scottish Ballet Seniors Associates and have attended many courses and workshops over the last few years, which have greatly helped me with technique and performance. I am now in Intermediate and Grade 6 and have been helped there by the support of my great teachers.
• Do you hope to follow a career in dance? Next year I plan to audition to full time ballet schools and maybe do some more exams. I would love to go to Central School of Ballet in London, Elmhurst in Birmingham, the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow or maybe Ballet West to study full time. I would love to then have a career in ballet companies and then maybe start teaching.
• What difference has ballet made to you? Ballet has improved my confidence through performing in shows and other dance events - even doing a solo in Dance Show Live last year (pictured above). I am even surprised at how much I've improved over the last couple of years! It has also improved my strength, flexibility and fitness.
• Do you have any advice for boys too embarrassed to try ballet? Over time I stopped caring who knew I did ballet. I think more and more people are becoming more accepting of boys in ballet as they recognise the strength and fitness required to do it, and you shouldn't stop what you love just because a few people dont agree with it.

And here is a clip of Adam performing a solo he learned at our Project Dance SummerSchool in August 2013... Well done Adam, we are all VERY proud of you!