Cork youths preparing to perform alongside world famous ballet dancers  

“One and two and three – wait for the beat – now!”

The music starts, the young dancers move into position, raise their arms, start to dance.

Ballet mistress Sinéad Murphy watches every step, every turn of the head. They circle, separate, come back together again, and finally drop into an artistic group pose.

“Good, you’re getting there. Let’s do it again.”

Nobody complains, although this is at least the eighth time they have executed this piece.

It is, after all, a rehearsal for a major performance of I by Cork City Ballet, opening this Thursday at the Opera House.

Then, there will be a full company of professional dancers, the two star guests from the Sofia National Ballet, all the costumes, make-up, sets,and special effects, to draw the audience into the magical world of enchantment, wickedness, and true love.

Now, it is the studio at the Firkin Crane where some lucky students from the Cork School of Dance are getting their chance to appear on actually the same stage as Katerina Petrova and Tsetso Ivanov, to be part of that fairytale world that is created whenever this wonderful ballet is staged.

After the ninth time meeting with Sinéad’s qualified approval, the younger dancers are dismissed for a short time while the older students take over.

“Don’t relax now,” warns their ever-vigilant ballet mistress. “Keep stretching, keep warmed up.” And they do just that.

In one corner, three youngsters, Lily Barry, aged 14, Mia Kiss Barboso, 13, and Robyn O’Leary, 12, slide effortlessly into eyewatering splits, then lean forward and back, hugging their slipper-clad toes, always stretching, bending, reaching further, never ceasing to keep those muscles active. And they have been doing this since about the age of four!

You have to start early in ballet, and you have to be, above all, supremely dedicated.

Lily Barry has all that dedication, and something more besides. She is determined to do all in her power to reach the Royal Ballet School in England and push herself as far as she can go in the notoriously challenging and unforgiving world of classical dance.

“I first heard of the Royal Ballet School a few years ago, when I was about 11,” says Lily.

“I discovered Dame Marianela Nunez dancing in online video clips, and was lucky enough to go to London to watch her perform in Swan Lake at Covent Garden.

“I fell in love with the Royal Ballet Company, and through this passion for the company I discovered the Royal Ballet School.

“I was immediately enthused by the wonderful dancers they produced. Like so many others, it is my dream to attend the school and to train alongside world class dancers and teachers.

“Ms Sinéad is very supportive of this dream. The philosophy of the school is to dream, aspire, achieve. I feel extremely supported by the Cork School of Dance. Kindness and encouragement are at its centre, which makes me feel very looked after.”

Does she realise what she is trying for? How many thousands have the same ambitions and hopes?

“While it is my dream to get there, I am realistic about my chances,” says Lily. “My aim at the moment is to apply for the Summer Intensive Course.”

Held each year, these courses offer dancers aged 8-19 a chance to immerse themselves for a short time in the school’s rigorous system of training.

“Fingers crossed that I will get in,” says Lily. “I am only 14, and still allowed to dream big. Ms Sinead said to me ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained,’ and I am going with that.

“My immediate focus is on Swan Lake at the Opera House. I feel so lucky and privileged to have been chosen. It is amazing to see the professional dancers up close.

“I joined Ms Sinéad and the Cork School of Dance just before covid, when we moved up to Cork. Before that, I was involved in ballet from the age of four in Clonakilty with the Alan Foley Academy of Dance.”

What are this young Cork girl’s chances of getting to the Shangri La of all ballet students, the Royal Ballet School?

Well, they only take those in whom they think they can see the promise of something special, beyond the ordinary.

“She is a very dedicated student with a huge passion for ballet,” says Sinéad Murphy of her charge.

“The initial idea for the Royal Ballet School came from me (but I think inwardly I always had a feeling it was on Lily’s mind.)

“I suggested she apply to attend one of their Insight Days, but those were fully booked. The next step for now is that she applies for the Summer School in 2026, and we will take it from there if Lily is successful with that application.

“She will have to submit a series of photographs of herself in classical ballet positions and then there will be a follow up process. These pictures will show the assessment panel Lily’s natural level of turn-out and facility, which is an essential part of any student’s application process for a ballet school.”

Sinéad is doing everything she can to help Lily fulfil her dream.

“It’s my job as her teacher to provide these opportunities and to help, support and encourage her in every way,” said Sinéad.

“It’s a difficult and challenging road ahead, but Lily has drive, passion, and discipline – qualities which we try to instil and encourage in all our students.”

Discipline, she adds, is a huge part in the life of any dance student.

“I always say that aside from their dance training, they learn valuable life lessons from us also.... time management, social skills, discipline, motivation, interaction with others, team work and, very importantly self-confidence without being cocky and obnoxious!”

These chosen students from Cork School of Dance have been attending class/rehearsals five days a week, managing to combine this demanding schedule with their schooling, homework, and study.

Sinéad says: “Oh yes, they all have their school books with them at rehearsals and can be seen studying while waiting for their particular scene in the ballet.” (When they’re not doing the splits, that is!) And not one of them can wait for Thursday night when at last the music starts and the curtain goes up.”

Swan Lake, presented by Cork City Ballet, opens at the Opera House on Thursday, November 6 and runs to Saturday, November 8, at 8pm nightly, with an additional matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. To book, call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie