Central Queensland’s own Billy Elliot one of two male finalists in state ballet competition
From touch football and athletics to surf lifesaving, 12-year-old Charlie King is a boy of many talents.
In addition to his abilities on the sporting field, centre stage in a ballet production where he most wants to be.
"It makes me feel happy and when I dance I feel free," Charlie said.
He is one of two male finalists out of 10, to be selected by the Queensland Ballet in the Wish Upon a Ballet Star competition.
The competition offers one young dancer the opportunity to rehearse with the Queensland Ballet and perform a special role in their next production.
Charlie said he was "over the moon" about being named as a finalist.
"I was running laps around the house and leaping and dancing," he said.
"I'm really excited, it's a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it.
"I just like it [ballet] because it's really different from all other ways you can dance," he said.
Trading football training for ballet exams
In order for Charlie to fit in all his ballet training, he had to quit football.
"That was a bit of bummer, because I do like playing touch footy but I like doing dancing more," he said.
"On Thursdays instead of touch, I learn my exam dances."
Charlie trains at a dance school in Yeppoon, central Queensland.
His dance teacher, Melinda Taylor, said Charlie started with one class but she suggested he do more when she saw his potential.
"At the end of that year I said, 'can you please do two classical classes and do an exam?'" she said.
"I said to his parents, 'I'm not trying to be the pushy ballet teacher but he has something'."
Competition opens doors for young dancers
Felicity Mandile, Queensland Ballet director of engagement, said the selection process for the Wish Upon a Ballet Star competition is highly competitive.
"It's a very in-depth process, there's lots and lots of entries received," she said.
"A team goes in and gets involved and picks those final 10."
Ms Mandile said the competition is not exclusively used to recruit dancers, but for children that are interested in pursuing a professional career in ballet, it can open doors.
"The opportunities that Queensland Ballet academy provides, certainly means that if there is a child that is wanting to pursue that career, there is a pathway for them and they would be welcomed into the academy," she said.
Charlie will travel to Brisbane to visit the Queensland Ballet studios this week.
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ABC .net
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