Young children twirled alongside a member of the Royal New Zealand Ballet at Ashburton’s library last week.
Ella Chambers, a dance educator with the RNZB, ran a preview workshop on Thursday based on the ballet Dazzlehands, which the company will perform at the Ashburton Event Centre on April 15.
Dazzlehands ballet is performed by six performers while the story is narrated.
Last week, Chambers read the book of Dazzlehands, so she and the youngsters and caregivers could act out its story with sound effects and dance moves.
Written by Wellington author and illustrator Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan, the story is about a persuasive pig who won’t take no for an answer.
Some children were splendidly dressed in tutus, participants practiced the ballet first position with their feet, leaped and giggled.
Among those in their tutus enjoying themselves was four-year-old Emily Payne from Methven, who said she enjoys dancing at home.
Jazz dancers three-year-old Annie Clark and seven-year-old Greta Clark also said they enjoy dancing and that they had fun at the workshop.
