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Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 5559) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: rjerred@haltonsearch.com IRTSCEN E M a n n in g F ine Jew ellery G O L D SM IT H * DIAMOND MEJtCHANT · F in e s t Q u a lity · R elia b le S crv ice fo r 2 2 Years 125 CROSS AVE. · TRAFALGAR VILLAGE · 844-2668 Duo will dance for their country By MELANIE CUMMINGS S P E C IA L T O T H E B E A V E R The question, `how does one pack a custom-made tutu?' is likely one Kendra Derry and Jessica Richard have never been asked. It's a minor predicament the teenagers won't spend much time thinking about as they prepare for the Olympic equivalent of the classical ballet world figures more prominently on their minds. Derry, 18 and Richard, 17 are two of Canada's entries in the Genee International Classical Ballet Competition, set for Saturday in Birmingham, England. .They've earned the right to represent the country. The Oakville School of Dance students passed their advanced e^ams with distinction. It's the highest category in which a ballet dancer can score, and a prerequisite for the Genee. The exam is 90 minutes of grueling, exhausting and physically demanding bal let exercises and performances that require split second thinking to keep time with the music, and be aware of minute technical details such as toe and arm angles. "It was so hard to predict how we'd done. We just hoped to pass. We're proba bly our worst critics," said Richard. The achievement also cleared the way for the girls to enter the Genee where they'll compete for a medal place against 53 other 16- 19-year-old ballet dancers from all over the world. "The competition will be tough and I don't really know what to expect," said Richard, "but if I just work as hard as I know I can, I'll have done my best" Derry expects to be inspired by her competitors. "I'll be able to watch others the same age and learn from their talents." For Derry and Richard reaching such world-class heights comes from huge per sonal investments in terms of time, dedi cation and commitment. After high school classes Richard and Derry head to the Lakeshore Road studio daily for two hours of lessons from Amanda Anderson. Richard is in Grade 12 at Holy Trinity in Oakville and Derry recently graduated from AB Lucas in London. She regularly commutes to the ballet school. Then there is the expense incurred by their parents. They go through toe shoes as quickly as a pair a week and tights too. The toe shoes cost $100, the tights $20 each. The cost of all those lessons is another story. "Our parents are great for allowing us to pursue our passion." said Derry. They each flew to England a week early to squeeze in a visit to the worldrenowned Royal Ballet School in London in between practicing as guests in classes at the academy in Birmingham. Whatever the result, both plan to pur sue professional dance careers. After the Genee, Derry plans to head to Banff where she'll practice as an appren tice for one year with the Alberta Ballet Company. Richard is thinking about university after high school graduation, but that could change if a scout at the Genee approaches her about joining a dance company. In the meantime, she is also planning to enter the prestigious Solo Seal perform ance competition, which is the equivalent of the national championships. In any event each will keep in touch with the other as they pursue their dreams a dancers. "We spend so much time together and have so much in common our friendship just comes naturally," said Richard. Their future .^bsences will be greatly missed by their teacher Anderson and the Oakville School of Dance's administrator, Frank Bayliss. Yet their achievement is likely to inspire the 350 other students at the local school where other Genee worthy students may follow in Richard's and Derry's toe shoes. Meanwhile, Anderson and Bayliss will fly to England to cheer on their students. "It's always been my goal as a teacher to get my students to this level, now that the time has come and I'm thrilled for the girls," said Anderson. Peter C. McCusker · Oakville Beaver K endra D erry,18 and Jessica R ichard, 17 of T he Oakville School of Dance. A LITTLE SOMETHING MISSING. STILL A CLASSIC ' III r " i l III .-v-- . . . - wt . . . ^ A -