News Story
Meet Alfie-Lee, who joined us as Apprentice this season from Elmhurst Ballet School. Here Alfie talks to us about his experience at BRB so far, his road to getting here and what he hopes to achieve moving forward.
You joined us this season as our Apprentice from Elmhurst Ballet School. What was it like receiving the news that you'd been offered this place?
It was incredible. Having gone through the school and watched students join the Company as Apprentices over the years, it's been a dream fulfilled. Hearing from Carlos that I had been awarded the Apprenticeship was an honour.
How have you found your first few months at BRB, and have you enjoyed performing in Black Sabbath – The Ballet?
I’m really enjoying my time in the Company. Everyone’s been very welcoming, and its a warm, supportive atmosphere. I feel comfortable and excited to learn, grow, and work hard.
I've absolutely loved performing in Black Sabbath – The Ballet. It’s such a fun ballet, full of energy, and I've really enjoyed going on tour. It's been a brilliant experience for my artistic development as I was fortunate to have performed a few different roles. Most significantly, I danced a main role in Act II, for which I'm incredibly grateful. I also covered the Pointe Shoe solo in Act I, which meant learning how to dance en pointe and even travelling down to Freed of London to get custom pointe shoes made for me. I had no idea how challenging it would be to dance en pointe before this experience – it's extremely tough – but it's done wonders for my strength and technique. It's really strengthened my feet and given me a great new skill to have under my belt.
What would you like to achieve this season at BRB? Do you have any personal goals or desires you'd like to fulfil during your time as Apprentice?
Above all, it's important to me that I set a good reputation for myself and build a strong relationship with the Company. I want to keep performing to the best of my ability in every show and continue progressing – first into BRB2 and then into the main Company following my time as Apprentice.
How did you first start ballet, and what was your journey like to getting to where you are now?
My mum was a dance teacher, and her passion for dance inspired me to give ballet a go. I attended classes and quickly fell in love with it. Eventually, I auditioned for and was offered a place at Elmhurst Ballet School, where I trained throughout the Lower and Upper Schools. During that time, my passion for ballet only grew.
Before joining Elmhurst, I was a Junior Associate of The Royal Ballet School, and performed in BRB's Romeo and Juliet when they toured to The Lowry, Salford, in 2016. I appeared as a Jester in the ball scenes, where I had to laugh and joke at all the dancers from a raised platform above. It was such good fun, and to now be in the Company as Apprentice is truly feels like a full-circle moment.
I also performed in The Nutcracker with BRB last season, during my graduate year at Elmhurst. I loved it, especially dancing the Trepak (The Russian Dance). It was a fantastic way to get to know the Company, and that experience played a big part in my desire to return. I can’t wait to perform in The Nutcracker again – this season I’ll be dancing the Chinese Dance in addition to Trepak and the Cadets, which I also performed last year.
What do you love most about dancing/performing, and do you have any role models?
What I love most is when I feel completely at ease with the role and show I'm performing. That's when I can truly relax, enjoy what I'm doing, and give both myself and the audience my best. I really enjoy being able to look out into the audience with confidence, connect with my peers on stage, and share the energy of performance. Knowing that I'm bringing joy to audiences across the country (and hopefully internationally at some point too!) gives me great satisfaction.
As for role models, I really look up to the other dancers in the Company. Seeing how talented they are and how hard they work everyday motivates me to keep pushing myself further.
Do you have a favourite role you'd love to perform one day?
I would love to perform Basillio in Don Quixote one day. That would be my dream role, and so I’m excited that we'll be touring the ballet early next year.
