ASPIRING Bendigo ballerinas will have a new outlet to refine their skills with a ballet-specific school set to open.
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The Extension Ballet Studio will open with an intensive this month, directed by former professional ballerina Emma Cheeseman.
Ms Cheeseman said she hoped to provide Bendigo ballet students with quality training, specific to the dance form.
Ms Cheeseman said she wanted to pursue ballet seriously from a young age, but didn't have the option to do so in Bendigo, where she grew up.
It meant years spent travelling to Melbourne twice a week to take part in Australian Ballet School programs.
Ms Cheeseman left Bendigo to study ballet further aged 16, before performing with the Queensland Ballet and the Melbourne City Ballet.
Opening a dance school has been a long-held dream for Ms Cheeseman, who said she had never had the courage to push through with it before.
But after an intense three weeks of planning, she said she was nervous, but confident in her experience and training.
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Ms Cheeseman said the Extension Ballet Studio's specific focus on quality classical ballet technique would be unique among Bendigo dance schools.
She said she hoped to pass on her passion for dance to young people in Bendigo, as well as professional knowledge.
"I'll be able to bring that experience I have from working professionally in the industry and ... new ideas and modern training," she said.
The Extension Ballet Studio will offer a range of classes for children aged three and older, as well as Barre.
More information at: theextensionballetstudio.com.au/
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