Determined to dance

Eleven-year-old Alfie Shatlock’s dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer are becoming a reality much faster than either Alfie or his parents expected.
Alfie, from The Dance Centre Peregian Springs, has just won two prestigious scholarships in just one week while competing against some of Australia’s best young ballet dancers at events in Brisbane and Melbourne.
The first was in Brisbane at the Performing Arts Challenge Pre Intermediate Ballet Scholarships, a two-day competition held Tuesday and Wednesday 7 and 8 June.
Alfie competed against 55 young dancers from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Alfie made it through the heats on the first day, through to the final six on the second day and won the classical ballet award for the 10 to 12 -year-old age category. His prize is a summer school scholarship to the Australian Ballet in 2017, plus a $500 voucher.
Just two days later Alfie flew to Melbourne to compete in the Inaugural Australian Ballet School Scholarship Awards and Master Classes where 168 young dancers from Australia and New Zealand competed over three days.
Alfie was among 71 young dancers in the 10 to 12-year-old age group who competed on Friday and Saturday at the Australian Ballet School, and again made it through to the final eight.
The final was held at the State Theatre at the Melbourne Arts Theatre on Sunday evening. Alfie excelled again, finishing runner up and winning a two-week scholarship to the Australian Ballet School.
“It was a little bit nerve racking because there were 11 judges and the theatre was full, but I loved it. I love performing and this was an amazing experience. What a week,” Alfie said.
Director of the Australian Ballet Company David McAllister and Director of the Australian Ballet School Lisa Pavane were among the judges who evaluated Alfie’s dancing.