Damascus College Year 10 student Imogen Kors is making her dreams of becoming a professional ballet performer a reality, after being successfully selected into the prestigious Brisbane City Youth Ballet to perform in their production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ last month.

Imogen was one of 13 advanced dancers in a cast of 60 that was selected from across Australia to perform in the production. In an industry just as effected by COVID-19 as the rest, Imogen’s audition was presented via a video submission. Imogen is grateful for the support from her local ballet school, the Academy of Classical Ballet, and Sovereign Calisthenics College, in Ballarat

Imogen said that these types of opportunities are the dreams of most ballet performers and dancers.

“Performing for a company is something you aspire to. It’s the feeling of being free on stage and being able to let go that’s makes it so enjoyable,” said Imogen.

Imogen said the effects of COVID-19 on live performances continued through to her rehearsals, being directly effected by the Brisbane lockdown on January 8 this year – the day of her first rehearsal.

“We had to stay in the Gold Coast because of the Brisbane lockdown, which meant mum had to drive me to Brisbane each day for rehearsals,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Imogen proceeded to perform in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ over three days with up to four shows per day at the Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre. This was following 10 rehearsals in the days prior. Imogen said she was used to this workload, having participated in ballet from a young age.

“I have been doing ballet since I was three years old,” she said.

“Nearly every night after school I do either ballet, contemporary or calisthenics”.

Imogen said she has balanced her education and dancing through studying during breaks at ballet, with her favourite subject at Damascus College being Mathematics.

“I know it seems odd because maths doesn’t really go with dancing, but I just like the structure of it,” she said.

When asked for a final piece of advice for someone wanting to pursue ballet, Imogen noted the importance of performing because you enjoy it.

“Do what you love, no matter what anyone else says,’ she said.