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| Sunday, 18 July 2004 |
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Young dancers get to join the Ensemble having faced an audition open to all Tennessee residents. Serving one year as an apprentice they not only learn the rules and dances but also learn to take care for each other, solve their problems, establish leaderships and above all, perfect their dance. It's not easy being a dancer. The youngest member of the ensemble is the nine year old Karlie Budge. She works just as hard as the oldest in the Ensemble. The kids are working extra hard, especially for the Sri Lankan tour. They have many dance classes throughout the day including ballet, modern Jazz and hip hop. Starting the classes at 8 a.m. at the studio, the kids have a lunch break before rehearsing again and a few hours off before they come back to the studio at 6.45 p.m. to dance till 9.45 p.m. This being their routine for the summer holidays, their dedication to dance will be crystal clear during their tour of Sri Lanka. The discipline and uniqueness of TCDE members make them stand apart from the rest of children who live in USA. They believe that they can make a difference in life through dance. Nine-year-old Karlie Budge says that she looks forward to learning the Sri Lankan culture and life style. "We will learn what foods they eat and I hope we'll make a difference mere and let people see something new". The TCDE has travelled to many countries like Great Britain, Norway, Taiwan and Japan. Sri Lanka is the first international tour for many of the young dancers. Times have changed and international travel is not only a security risk but also quite costly. The company that facilitate the TCDE is known as the 'Goodwill - Ambassadors for the state of Tennessee' thus it lives up to their standards when touring. There are special rules of behaviour when on tour. The youngsters cease to be children and consider themselves as dancers which means no complaining over strange food or fatigue. The children look forward to bring back a taste of what they had learnt during the tour, back to Tennessee. Tennessee television will be travelling with them to produce an hour long documentary on exotic places of the enchanted island. The TCDE will come alive on stage as they perform a perfect piece of choreography set to an incredible composition of music. The Ensemble will be taken to Kandy for their first performance and will visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage on their way back to Colombo. They will also visit the Coral Gardens, Hikkaduwa during their tour. The TCDE members will also be donating schooling material to deserving children in the areas they will be visiting. Part proceeds from the shows will be channelled to the science Faculty Alumni Association of the University of Kelaniya. The TCDE tour of Sri Lanka is organised by Footwork and is sponsored by Mountain Hawk Exopress (Pvt.) Ltd. |
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