Education and Community Outreach Sponsor

On 15-17 July 2016, close to 100 enthusiastic children (ages 4-12) gathered at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to participate in the 5^th Ballet Theatre Summer Camp: Little Ballet Princesses. In the three days, the students in three groups experienced various elements of a ballet production in a fun, interactive learning environment. 

Not only were they introduced to some famous ballet stories and music, they were given the opportunity to experience up close intricate ballet costumes, including the actual headdresses used in various ballets. They then spent time making their own decorations for a castle set, which was displayed during their own performance on the last day. Additionally, the children creatively decorated their own headdresses during the costume workshops.

A significant portion of their time was spent on learning ballet movements to prepare for the Dance Demonstration performed for parents on the last day of the camp. The students worked hard to learn choreography especially created for them by the Company’s dancers. After a short warm-up session, the audiences saw both their children and the professional dancers perform their pieces to music from The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Additionally, the Company’s dancers demonstrated ballet mime from Swan Lake and later taught both students and parents some of the more interesting mime gestures. All the students’ hard work and efforts paid off, and the demonstrations were fantastic. The children were excited to dance for their parents, who were eager to see what their children had learnt in the past three days. Afterwards, all students gathered for group photos and received a certificate from the Company’s dancers for their participation and completion of the camp.

We would like to acknowledge the following professionals and the Company’s dancers for their hard work and time spent on the Camp. Their patience and care with the children really showed how passionate they are about sharing their knowledge and experience with the participants. These individuals include: Hong Kong Ballet Dancers Shen Jie, Dong Rui-Xue, Vanessa Lai, Sharon Leung and Tirion Law, Education and Community Outreach Department Manager Vency Kwok, music instructor Tony Lam, props and sets artist Aya Mok as well as the Company’s Wardrobe Department members.

We would also like to thank our Education and Community Outreach sponsor Repetto for supporting us throughout all the activities during Camp. We are extremely grateful for their continued, enthusiastic assistance in helping to groom the next generation of ballet lovers and dancers, and it has been wonderful to have them as a sponsor.

Overall, the students, whether they had ballet experience or not, had a meaningful summer holiday experience learning more about the world of ballet – from dance movements, music and costumes and to sets and props, story and miming. We look forward to seeing their smiling faces again next year.