'Ballet not confined to one social class'

By Anuradha KODAGODA

"Classical ballet training, when taught correctly helps children develop co-ordination of the mind and body and nurtures the ability to focus and maintain intense concentration. It can improve the posture and help to strengthen a child who is physically weak. Learning ballet and sitting examinations will build confidence and promote self-discipline. It also gives children a sense of movement, rhythm and an appreciation of music," said Ayumi Ratnakumara a young ballet artiste of international fame.

Ayumi Ratnakumara

Ayumi Ratnakumara in a ballet dance pose

Ayumi Ratnakumara began her ballet dancing career when she was only three years at the Deanna School of Dancing headed by Deanna Jayasuriya. She was a shining star at the school ballet team and won many inter-school and national ballet competitions.

She played leading roles in La Bayadere, the Nutcracker and the Sleeping Beauty. In 2008 the school awarded her the prize for Outstanding Achievement in Classical Ballet.

"Ballet provides a strong foundation for all other forms of dance. Not only does it aid and enhance performance ability in other dance forms, it also provides strength and control for gymnastics, skating and all other sports.

"My ballet training has helped me to deal with mental and physical discomforts easily. I also gained self-confidence and self esteem," the said.

In 2005 Ayumi gained admission to the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London to follow a degree course in ballet. During her three years at the academy she worked with world- renowned teachers gaining exposure to a variety of dance styles. She also had the opportunity to work in many private dance schools, public schools and community projects in the UK.

In 2008 she graduated with a first class honours in the final examination. She has also successfully completed and received the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance which has given her the registered teacher status. After completing the Advanced 2 Ballet examination of the RAD, she became an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD).

Without confining herself to ballet studies she did her Masters in Management at Loughborough University, UK in 2009. She was awarded the Business School Taught Postgraduate Prize 2008/2009 by the University for achieving the best overall academic performance in the MSc Management Program.

During her post-graduate studies Ayumi taught dance at a private dance school, MoonDance Studio, teaching the RAD syllabus and coaching students for examinations and dance festivals.

'En L'air School of Dance' is her dream in life. She is back in Sri Lanka to share her knowledge and experiences in dance. She will open her own ballet dancing school shortly.

In Sri Lanka ballet has been restricted to the upper middle class society. During my studies in London I took part in community projects dedicated to promote ballet among the children who came from the lower middle class. Therefore, I think ballet is not confined to one class", she said.

En L'air School of Dance will open on October 1 in Colombo.