WINNIPEG – Beneath the soft ballet shoes are feet that work hard for hours every day.
“It’s physically painful you know, psychologically difficult as well but you have to want it,” said student Liam Saito.
Liam is one of about 100 students in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s professional division. All of them are training to become world class dancers.
He was discovered at an audition in New York and offered a scholarship on the spot.
“He’ll be taking a ballet class starting at 8:30 in the morning,” said Royal Winnipeg Ballet director Arlene Minkhorst. “He’ll have modern classes in the afternoon after he comes back from school… character dance classes and more repertoire classes.”
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“You live in the same building basically as you dance and sort of it’s all around you… you’re completely immersed in the art,” said Saito.
The Washington-born phenom isn’t the only international student who trains for six hours a day, six days week.
Diane Saller is from France.
“Everyone doesn’t have like their parents here and their own culture here,” said Saller. “Maybe it can help to get closer from each other.”
Between the studio walls lie hundreds of success stories of professional dancers that have gone on to tour and perform around the world throughout the company’s 75 year history. They inspire the young dancers to keep pushing beyond their limits.
“I’d love to travel and dance, that would be a dream,” said Saito.
Hoping those long hours, tired bodies and sore feet will be worth it one day.
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is finishing off its international audition tour in Winnipeg on January 25. Anyone who is interested in trying out can contact the RWB or call the school office.
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