Lawrence Lambert wants boys to experience the physical challenge of ballet.
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The 23-year-old Russian trained dancer will hold two workshops this Sunday August 28 at Andrea Rowsell Academy of Dance for girls and boys.
“Ballet is one of the best forms of exercise. For boys they don’t go en pointe, but are constantly jumping and turning. It improves posture, leg muscles and builds good physique,” he said.
Lawrence said the Korean Army’s soldiers take ballet to improve performance and Australian football teams do ballet to improve agility.
Lawrence’s body is as strong as his determined mind.
A late comer to dance, he started tap at 10 and ballet at 15.
He attended Kirsty Gunther Academy of Dance in Cessnock and Hunter School of Performing Arts, before auditioning for the National College of Dance in Lambton.
“The panel didn’t think I was up to standard and rejected me,” he explained.
Determined, he worked fiercely on improving.
He tracked down panel member Marie Walton Mahon at a Sydney workshop who oversaw, “a massive leap of improvement” in Lawrence.
Marie coached Lawrence one to one. On one occasion she surprised him by bringing the panel in to watch. He got in.
“I worked incredibly hard. I had been accepted to schools in Sydney, but I wanted the one I couldn’t get.”
Towards his graduation Lawrence looked at what would be his next move. Once again, he chose a challenge.
“We had a foreign dance principle visit the school, and we asked her questions. I asked about doing ballet in Russia. She said ‘are you Russian? Because if not, you don’t have a chance of getting there’. It became stuck in my head. I had been accepted in to the Joffrey Ballet School in New York but I wanted Russia.”
“On a limb I sent a letter and photos to the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Saint Petersburg Russia.”
With the help of dance instructor Alfred Taahi, Lawrence made a DVD to send – but the academy never saw it. He got in on photos alone.
Russia did not come without its challenges.
In the beginning Lawrence didn’t speak Russian and in second year he twice had surgery on his foot.
After four years of non-stop work he graduated.
Lawrence’s family is based in Harrington where he attended kindergarten.
His 3.5 hour workshops cost $60. Ring Lawrence: 0434 261 793.