Scarlett Schutte of Bedfordview has been presented with a wonderful opportunity to advance her ballet career abroad.
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The fourteen-year-old has been awarded a scholarship to the Orlando Ballet School in Florida.
She started dancing at the age of eight and has since won various international titles.
“Ballet is one of those art forms that grab your attention and forms the foundation for all forms of dance. My mom put me into dancing and I am so grateful she did.
“Without that decision, the achievements and opportunities I have had so far wouldn’t have happened or been possible. Ballet is such a beautiful art form and the more I do it the more I love it!” said Scarlett.
She is one exam away from completing the RAD syllabus (a ballet technique and training system).
One of her best achievements was at the first world championships that she participated in and won in her category. It was held in Stratford-Upon-Avon in England when she was nine.
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“I didn’t have a big dream to become something or someone, I just loved what I was doing. As the titles kept coming my way, they inspired me to attempt more dance styles.
One of my favourite titles, to date, has to be when I won last year December in Slovenia at the IDO World Championships,” added Scarlett.
She won the junior women’s ballet repertoire category.
Her favourite ballet dancer is Marianela Nuñez.
Scarlett is motivated by success. “Once you start achieving, the hungrier you become for more. Nuñez inspires me.
Her way of movement is absolutely beautiful, I love watching and learning her ways.
“Some days are really tough, classes and training are long and tedious, but consistency is key and keeping your eyes on the goal.”
Scarlett competed in the California Dance Classics last year in December.
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It was an online competition where she had to learn a 30-minute ballet class from a ballet master, practice it in the studio for a month, and then professionally film it to send it back to California Dance Classics for scholarship consideration.
The video is then sent to various ballet schools in the USA.
“We started a Back-a-Buddy campaign to assist with flights and accommodation. It can be great if the community can support me on this journey.
“It’s always such a pleasure and a huge privilege to be able to be around new choreographers and learn from them. It helps to make you a better dancer,” added Scarlett.
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