Young Kildwick dancer ready for dream performance of Swan Lake

A Kildwick girl is part of a team of five talented young dancers who will dance in a prestigious production of Swan Lake.

In March, the dancers from the Sara Packham Theatre School in Keighley were chosen to be part of the 80-strong cast of English Youth Ballet’s (EYB’s) production of Swan Lake.

The young cast were selected after hugely competitive auditions.

They are currently experiencing the life of a professional dancer in rehearsals.

They will perform alongside international professional dancers in English Youth Ballet’s Swan Lake at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, from Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8.

The young dancers include Cononley’s Willow Crowther, 11, a pupil at Kildwick Primary School; Oakworth’s Bethany Loftus, 10, a pupil at Oakworth Primary School; Bingley’s Lucy Miller, 9, a pupil at St Joseph’s Primary School; Bradford’s Isla Town, 8, a pupil at Wilsden Primary School; and Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Sasha Wilkinson, 9, a pupil at Westville House School in Ilkley.

Willow Crowther of Cononley will perform in a prestigious production of Swan Lake. (Image: Ben Garner)

Willow, speaking about her dancing, dancing with EYB and the future: “I started dancing when I was seven years old so four years ago.

“I wanted to learn how to dance as I’d seen lots of shows at the theatre and wanted to have a go myself.

“I also wanted to choose a hobby that was fun, I’d make more friends at and help me keep healthy.

“I love learning new steps and mastering them after practising a lot.

“It’s great being on the stage! It’s the best feeling ever and I really enjoy performing.

“Last Christmas I performed at Bradford Alhambra in the Pantomime on my birthday and it was the best birthday ever.

“I’m really excited to learn at EYB and become a better ballet dancer.

“This is my first proper ballet and “I can’t wait to start rehearsing and watch and learn from the older dancers and the principals too! I love being a part of a show and watching it all come together it’s lots of fun and feels really good to have been a part of it all.

“I love all types of dancing and really enjoy acting, too.

“I’m really proud of all my dancing achievements and last year I won a junior choreography competition at my dance school and I was also chosen at Head Girl of my team at the Alhambra Sunbeams.

“I love music and am a huge Taylor Swift fan.

“I like to be creative and enjoy school, especially English and PE lessons.

“When I’m not dancing, I like to spend time with my family and 2 dogs, Pumpkin and Bradley and my bestie Ruby. I also like baking cakes, especially Biscoff flavour!”

Ann Wall will play the White Swan in a prestigious production of Swan Lake. (Image: Peter Mares)

English Youth Ballet Principal Ann Wall will be starring as Odette (the White Swan) in the production. Before joining EYB she danced with the Ballet Cymru.

She said: “I wish I had danced with EYB when I was young.

“The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet.

“I love working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance challenging and iconic roles and I also teach the young dancers and see them progress.

“The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers (and the audiences) will never forget.”

Swan Lake will be performed at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax in June. (Image: Google Street View)