Barnstaple ballerina gets the chance to shine with English Youth Ballet

A young ballerina from Barnstaple is one to watch after being selected top perform as part of a prestigious English Youth Ballet production of Coppélia.

Chloe Squire, aged 14, earned a place in the three show production at The Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare and joined an elite cast of 75 dancers after highly competitive auditions.

Chloe, who trains at Dancing Feet Academy and goes to The Park Community School, greatly impressed during the mid-August production and was awarded the English Youth Ballet Senior Prize for her performance quality.

The show saw 75 gifted young dancers aged eight to 18 share the stage with six international principal artists – many EYB alumni have gone on to perform with top companies, including The Royal Ballet.

Above: Chloe Squire from Barnstaple has been training in dance for almost 11 years. Credit: Ben Garner

Janet Lewis OBE, EYB director, said the 75 dancers cast gave ‘three splendid performances’ and were well received by the audience.

She added: “Chloe Squire was awarded the Senior Prize because of the musicality of her dancing and her personality shone out from the stage.”

A delighted Chloe said: “I have had the most amazing time this last few weeks learning and rehearsing daily with so many incredible people.

“I am so grateful that I have had this amazing opportunity and to top it I won the senior prize for my performance quality. It means a lot to be personally recognised by Miss Lewis when surrounded by so many talented dancers.”

Chloe has been dancing for almost 11 years and now spends 15 hours a week training.

She said: “I have always loved to dance and express myself through movement so at three-years-old my mum thought it would be a fun hobby to boost my confidence and make friends but it has become so much more than that, I now spend 15 hours a week in a studio training in ballet, contemporary, modern and jazz.

“Dance gives me the opportunity to challenge myself, to consistently strive to reach my personal best and there is no greater feeling than moving to music and letting everything else around me disappear. 

“I can’t thank my dance school ‘Dancing Feet Academy’ enough for giving me the confidence to believe in myself and my dreams. I wouldn’t be where I am today without there support and guidance this last two years.”

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