Acceptance to the Royal Ballet School is an incredible achievement as every year thousands of dancers from all over the world audition for a limited number of coveted places. In Brisbane last December Henry Burgess was one of 1400 aspirants auditioning for a place, then one of a select few invited to attend Finals in London. Now he will soon be making the leap from McDonald College in Strathfield, Sydney to the Royal Ballet School in London having been offered a place to commence his studies there in September 2023.
It’s taken Henry many years of hard work to get to this level of proficiency in classical ballet. His dance journey started at the age of 6, attending hip-hop classes with friends for fun, but Henry remembers when ballet entered his life
“I took my first class in classical ballet and loved it. But I remember telling mum I didn’t want to go back because I was the only boy. She encouraged me to give it another chance.”
“It was the teachers at my local dance studio who suggested my artistry would be best nurtured at The McDonald College. Mum and I came to a Junior School performance showcase. We were blown away by the talent of the kids. I attended a Trial Day and started at the College when I was in Year 5.”
Currently in Year 10 at McDonald College Henry credits his teachers, school and family for this incredible achievement and Principal of The McDonald College, Ms Maxine Kohler says, “We are incredibly proud of Henry. It’s been such a pleasure to watch him grow as a strong, technical, and artistic dancer under the tutelage of our world-class teachers.”
It’s onwards and upwards for Henry who says that he would ultimately love to earn a place at the Royal Ballet Company, working alongside other male Australian dancers. “To work with Steven McRae, who is an idol of mine, or Harrison Lee a McDonald College alumnus would be phenomenal. These men are the reason I keep working towards my goals.”
But on arrival to London later this year his more immediate focus will be to settle in and learn as much as he can – continuing to refine his technique and artistry. Henry joins 8 other Australian students currently studying at the Royal Ballet’s Upper School.