By Cassandra Pokoney
Photograph by Barry Harcourt
The Southland Times
December 21, 2009
A nine-year-old Winton boy is dancing all the way to the bank after he was awarded a British Ballet Organisation junior scholarship.
Damen Axtens was awarded the scholarship this month after taking part in ballet exams last month. The money was to be used to further his ballet studies.
Damen, whose sister and brother are also dancers, said he was thrilled with the scholarship. “It’s cool,” he said.
Damen, who has been learning ballet since he was 4, said he loved dancing and hoped to pursue it as a career. He has been a student at Scandrett Dance for the past two years.
Teacher Glenys Scandrett said Damen was a natural dancer and she was proud of his achievements. “He works very hard and he’s very serious about what he does. “He’s naturally good,” Ms Scandrett said.
© 2009 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Boys and Ballet 