With enthusiastic responses from participants last year, the Youth Intensive Programme "Ballet with the Stars" returns on 10 to 13 February 2008. Firstly launched in April 2007, the "Ballet with the Stars" programme is tailor-made for ballet students aged between 9 and 25. The Hong Kong Ballet artists including Principal Dancers Faye Leung and Jin Yao will participate as instructors to coach students in various classes. This year, the programme is enhanced with a mini student performance on 13 February at GR3 Rehearsal Room of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The 4-day intensive programme is open only by audition. Selected students will have a unique opportunity to learn Hong Kong Ballet repertoire, pointe technique, pas de deux, character dance, ballet mime, theatrical hairstyling and stage make-up for classical ballet from the Company's professional dancers. The finale of the 4-day event will be a mini performance held on 13 February for students to showcase and share with their fellow classmates what they have learned from the Company dancers. The students will perform various excerpts from the Company's repertoire including The Nutcracker, Paquita, La Bayadère, La Fille Mal Gardée, Cinderella and Swan Lake. There will also be a brief introduction for each repertoire, autograph and photo-op sessions by the Company stars during the event.

Artistic Director John Meehan said " 'Ballet with the Stars' provides an excellent opportunity to the Company dancers to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of young artists. It not only raises the Company profile but also helps to build up and maintain a close and long-term relationship with a group of dedicated young ballet fans."

Media representatives are welcome to observe the classes and attend "Ballet with the Stars 2008" mini performance. Details are as follows:

"Ballet with the Stars 2008" mini performance
13 February 2008 (Wednesday), 4:00pm - 6:00pm
GR3 Rehearsal Room of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Please fill in the attached reply slip for registration to the mini performance. For media enquiries, please contact 2105 9722 Ms. Cheung.

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The Hong Kong Ballet Youth Intensive Programme
"Ballet with the Stars 2008"
Student Mini Performance

Date: 13 February 2008
Venue: GR3, Rehearsal Room, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Time: 4 - 6 pm

Rundown

Opening Speech

Introduction by Catherine Lau*
Performance : The Nutcracker - Act I Doll (Girl)

Introduction by Selina Chau*
Performance : Coppélia - Act II Czedarch

Introduction by Aurora Kwong*
Performance : La Bayadère - Act II 2nd Solo

Introduction by Selina Chau*
Performances : La Fille Mal Gardée - Lize Solo

Introduction by Eve Chan*
Performance : Cinderella - Act I Birds

Introduction by Jin Yao*
Performances:Paquita - Pas de Trois 2nd Solo
Swan Lake - Four Little Swan

Introduction by Faye Leung*
Performances: Swan Lake - Pas de Trios 1st Solo
Swan Lake - Pas de Trios 2nd Solo

Certificate Presentation

Group Photo

Autograph and Photo-op Sessions by the Hong Kong Ballet Dancers

* The Hong Kong Ballet Dancers

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Photos

Ballet students in audition
Principal Dancers Faye Leung (left) and Jin Yao (right) instructing students
in Youth Intensive Programme 2007
Students attending classes in Youth Intensive Programme 2007