BROADSTONE COMMUNITY & ARTS CENTRE

POSITIVELY VERDANT

One of the messages coming out, from this little oasis of art, is that Ballet is alive and well, and thriving better than ever. Little surprise considering the ‘Murilova’ school is still only in its third generation of directors after being established more than 60 years. With the third and current director Sandra McCauliffe herself, having been trained for 14 years by the original Madame Murilova, the school has inevitably a strong continuity and tradition that continues to deliver 100% pass rate in the annual ballet exams, with external examiners granting many of the students passes with distinction.

In the outside world, recent successes have included past student Tina Marsh currently dancing for the Vienna Festival Ballet along with their principal dancer Caroline Scott, another Murilova School past student. Another ex student was chosen for a dancing part in a film with none other than Colin Firth; another student won a scholarship to Birds College of Performing Arts; another two were successful for entrance to the Royal Ballet and a 10 year old pupil having recently auditioned amongst 1200 for the little girl’s part in the West End production of Mary Poppins, is through to a short list of 20. We wish her well.

In addition to this, for the last 3 years the Russian Ballet, “Ballet Russe” have chosen pupils from Murilova to dance in their productions whilst on tour; an experience the children will never forget.

All of this comes out of a ballet school full of warmth and friendliness. Parents can sit and watch the classes as director, Sandra, a qualified teacher and chorealogist and experienced solo dancer, uses her professional experience to bring out the very best for each child, building up their confidence and encouraging them to achieve whatever they wish.

Beryl Foster

Archive Summer 2004 | next

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