YOUNG Tamworth dancer Imogen Sharpe is turning heads in Sydney and Melbourne with all the right steps.
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The Year 7 student has begun high school at The McDonald College and is studying the Australian Ballet School Intense Training Program Level Three.
Imogen commenced training in level one of the program when she was eight years old and has been ballet dancing since she was two.
Her mum, Kylie Sharpe, said, as part of the program, her daughter completed personalised training visits with the school in Melbourne.
“The student can choose when they can come down and personal visits happen when we’re able,” she said.
As well as the Australian Ballet School, Imogen is a full-time student in Year 7 at The McDonald College, where her stream is classical ballet, and does after- hours classes with the school.
“She studies ballet for two hours every day and academics outside of that, then does after-hours ballet and a bit of contemporary,” Mrs Sharpe said.
“Imogen does her exam works during afternoons, except for Wednesdays and Sundays – she is just living her passion.
“She wants to become a famous ballet dancer with a company in Paris.”
In Tamworth, Imogen has studied with Sally Keft-Gill since she was two.
“She just adores Sally and she is the main reason she is where she is,” Mrs Sharpe said.
“En Avant is her home and her love. She misses Miss Sally because it’s her family.”
Mrs Sharpe said being in that environment gave her daughter so many strong role models, as well as giving her the confidence and the self-esteem to chase her dreams.
Imogen and her mum are living in Sydney as she pursues her dream.
“She’s a country kid who has jumped into her dream and we are very proud of her,” Mrs Sharpe said.
“As parents, our job is to support her, encourage her and provide what she requires. We give her the support she needs to achieve her goals – we don’t do the work for her, we are ust supporting her and we are extremely proud.”
Imogen had to audition for the programs she is part of and Mrs Sharpe said she is closely monitored, with the schools choosing students who “fit into what they do”.