Page 10 - Southwell_The Chronicle JULY
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Congratulations to Mason (2008 – 2016) and Piper (2010 – 2016) King upon their successful audition for the Royal Ballet School in London.
This is an amazing achievement and a culmination of many years of dedication and perseverance.
Currently Mason and Piper are dancing at the Chilton Ballet Academy (CBA) in Wellington which is part of Chilton St James School. Before choosing the Royal Ballet School they were both offered full scholarships with a number of leading ballet schools including; the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis- American Ballet Theatre School in New York, the San Francisco Ballet School and the Houston Ballet Academy.
Mason, age 16, is in his last year
at CBA before going into full time training and, in May this year, after receiving confirmation that he had been accepted into the Royal Ballet School, sat his last Cambridge exam to gain University Entrance. His
day is primarily made up of Ballet, Contemporary and Strength and Conditioning classes and, as he is
in the Level 6, New Zealand School
of Dance Scholars programme, he attends classes there three days a week. Mason is also in their Associate programme.
At the Royal Ballet School, Mason will be working towards a BA in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance as well as continuing with Maths at A level. Mason’s day will be made up of dance with only two hours of academics.
‘The reason I get up, is to dance’ Mason King
Piper, age 14, is currently in the Emerging CBA programme for Year 9s. This has seen her swap some of her academic subjects for ballet, and like Mason she is dancing seven days a week. She is presently Level 4 with the New Zealand School of Dance Scholars programme as well as being a Junior Associate.
ALUMNI FEATURE LONDON BOUND
Piper has had the honor of recently being selected to take part in the final of the Youth America Grand Prix final in New York – one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions.
At the Royal Ballet School – Lower School at White Lodge Piper will be moving into Year 9 and will be working towards 8 GCSA and AS Levels as well as dancing six days a week for four to five hours daily.
‘I have never had days I don’t want to dance’
Piper King
We wish Mason and Piper all the very best with their exciting move to London and look forward to following them on their ballet journey.
Photo credit: Lokyee Szeto
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