Students off to NBS

Three gifted West Island students from the Ballet Ouest Centre de Danse have joined the ranks of the country’s most promising young dancers.

Thirteen-year-old Camille Robert of Beaconsfield, Melissa Villareal of Vaudreuil/Dorion, and Courtney Facca of Ste-Lazare (both aged 10), were the only students selected from the National Ballet School auditions in Montreal last fall. Auditions are held in over a dozen major cities across Canada every year.

“They’re among approximately 200 girls who were accepted into the school’s four-week summer program in Toronto, which is the stepping stone to being invited to participate in the school’s full-time professional program. Usually the news is only released in April, but in this case the girls were accepted right away,” explained Margaret Mehuys, founder of the Centre de Danse in Pointe Claire.

“Most of the girls are from Canada, but there are international students who audition from the United States, Japan, and other countries. Videos come in from all over the world,” the Beaconsfield resident said.

This year the summer sessions were held from July 8 to Aug. 3.

“It’s an intensive program; the students train all day. But there are other activities as well, such as sightseeing and field trips. It’s like an elite sport team – they have physical therapists and are assessed to see if they are psychologically adaptable,” Mehuys said.

This is the first time the Ballet Ouest Centre de Danse – its doors opened almost two years ago -- has sent students to the NBS auditions.

“It’s a validation for us.”

Camille, Melissa, and Courtney also performed last year in Ballet Ouest’s The Nutcracker, which has been the professional company’s signature piece since it was founded by Mehuys in 1984.

“What’s nice is that all three are good friends, and support and encourage each other,” she said.

Located in Plaza Pointe Claire, the Centre de Danse offers a series of programs to aspiring dancers. Courses range from pre-ballet for five and six year-olds, to workshops for older youth in jazz and contemporary dance, and more. The innovative Danse Etude program offers advanced study in classical ballet in tandem with local high schools. There are also classes for adults, including line dancing and Broadway dancing.

An open house will be held at the centre from Sept. 15 to 19. For more information and registration details call 514-783-1245.