www.oakvillebeaver.com38 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 1, 2008

ArtsceneOakvilleBeaver

• FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008

Dancers living their dream at ballet campThree Oakville elemen-

tary school students are tak-ing part in a month-longsummer dance competitionthat might define their life asdancers forever.

Alex Hall, Holly Monksand Sebastian Lecomte fromAllegro School of Dance wereaccepted to take part inCanada’s National BalletSchool’s (NBS) summerschool program - the secondstage of a two-stage auditionprocess for the school’s full-time program.

Monks said she audi-tioned for the program inFebruary. After her audition,she had an interview withjudges, where they asked herwhat she liked most aboutdance.

Her answer: “I like toexpress myself that way.”

After her interview,Monks was informed that shewas accepted into the pro-gram.

“It’s a really big achieve-ment for me because I’vealways watched people whowent to the school and I saidI want this for myself,”explained Monks, a Grade 6student.

From approximately1,000 young dancers whoaudition each year, about 50are accepted into the school’sfull-time professional bal-let/academic program andthe post-secondary program,which combined accommo-date 150 students fromacross Canada and aroundthe world from Grade 6through post-secondary.

Monks, as well as Hall andLecomte admit that withoutthe help of their instructor,Laura Dacyshyn from Allegro

School of Dance, they maynot be at the NBS today.

“She really helped me toknow how to hold my posi-tions and I’d really like tothank her for that, because ifit wasn’t for her I wouldn’thave gotten in,” saidLecomte.

While Lecomte, 10, won’tbe considered for the full-time program until next yearbecause of his young age, hesaid he hopes that he will fol-low the footsteps of his sister,Olivia Lecomte, who gotaccepted to the full-time pro-gram last year.

Dacyshyn was also Olivia’sinstructor.

The instructor said hav-ing three students acceptedinto the summer programand another into the full-time program in such a shortperiod of time is a big deal.

“I make sure to teachthem proper techniques.When I see somebody whohas talent I mention it totheir parents right away,” shesaid.

The three students starttheir classes at the balletschool, located in downtownToronto, at 9 a.m. and gener-ally finish by 4:45 p.m.

NBS is known worldwidefor its ballet training andenriched academic pro-grams. While at summerschool, Hall attends ballet,Chinese folk dance, composi-tion and pool classes.

“Ballet is my favorite,though,” said Hall.

Both Hall and Monkseagerly await the decision ofwhether they are accepted tothe program. In the mean-time, however, they haveboth agreed to enjoy theopportunity that they havealready earned and build onthe skills acquired.

MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER

■ By Hiba KesebiSPECIAL TO THE BEAVER

GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES: Allegro School of Dance students Alex Hall, left, Sebastian Lecomte, centre, and HollyMonks spent the past month studying at the prestigious National Ballet School’s summer school.

Art in the Park runs holiday MondayThe Oakville Art Society is holding

its 43rd annual Art in the Park on thewaterfront in Bronte on Aug. 4 from10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at HeritageWaterfront Park, Bronte Road atOntario Street.

Featuring more than 150 artistsand artisans from across the country,the 2007 event attracts thousands ofpeople to the Bronte waterfront.Artists were selected by a juryprocess.

Art in the Park is alive with someartists demonstrating in their boothsor at the Oakville Art Society demon-stration area.

Visitors will get to meet the artistsand learn about their motivation andexcitement about the works they havecreated.

Another much-anticipated aspectof the event this year is the return ofTrafalgar Brewing Company that willbe providing food and refreshments

at a beer garden right on the grounds.Admission is $3 at the gate.Visitors to Bronte can also enjoy

live music that day in CentrillerSquare, which is located east ofBronte Road on the south side ofLakeshore. Musicians are lined up toplay from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., infront of CJ’s Café in CentrillerSquare.

For more information, visitwww.oakvilleartsociety.com.