From rehearsing in his local dance school, a young ballet dancer has been given a taste of the highest level of his favourite performing art form.

Ruadhan Milsom has recently returned from a training session at the Royal Ballet Company in Covent Garden, in London.

The 10 year old dance student, from Laxey, spent a day with the prestigious ballet school as part of a workshop based around the famous Nutcracker ballet, which included creative sessions and classes to focus on his dance skills and technique.

Ruadhan also had the opportunity to meet with members of the Royal Ballet Company and watch them training for the upcoming performance of the Nutcracker in the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

’I enjoyed meeting the members of the Royal Ballet Company and watched them train,’ said Ruadhan.

’It was inspiring and made me want to work harder. I also got to see the Royal Opera House which was beautiful.’

He was given the chance to visit the Royal Ballet after successfully auditioning to join the Royal Ballet Junior Associate programme, which requires him to travel to Manchester every weekend for a two-and-a half-hour training session.

Ruadhan auditioned for the youth programme during the lockdown.

He had previously auditioned in 2019, but was unsuccessful.

’I was disappointed when I didn’t get in first time around, but this made me work harder for the second audition,’ he said.

’When I heard that I had been accepted, I was so excited and happy but also anxious and a bit nervous.

’It’s a lot of fun but hard work too!

’I have to get up really early on Saturday morning and fly over.

’Everyone in the class is really nice and I have made friends with some of the other boys. I have to do homework every evening after school too which includes lots of stretching.’

Ruadhan has been dancing for more than five years now, learning under teacher Rachel Withington at the Dancer’s Barre School, based in Laxey.

’I would love to be a dancer when I grow up,’ he said.

’Maybe with the Royal Ballet, if I am lucky and keep working hard, although I wouldn’t mind being a Lego designer either!

’I think it is important for children to dance and I try to share my experiences with my friends at school to encourage them.

’I think it is a pity that more boys don’t do ballet.’

Ruadhan thanked the Isle of Man Arts Council for its support with his travel expenses and development.