Page 31 - DANCE 2020 Full Time Studies Guide

Full-Time STudieS Guide 2020
Harrison Lee
Harrison is a dancer with the Royal Ballet in London.
WWhere did you undertake your full-time training?
I moved from Sydney to London
at 16 to train at the Royal Ballet School. I graduated in 2018 and I am proud to say that I was awarded the Most Outstanding Male graduate of my cohort.
Level of education?
My parents always felt it was important for
me to focus on my schooling. Prior to starting Year 6 I changed schools so I could study
and train with like-minded students. I was thrilled to start at the McDonald College, where I remained until I was in Year 10. I then moved to London in August, 2015. I started
in the UK equivalent of Year 12, which was challenging at first, but I am pleased I finished my academic studies.
How did you find the transition to the profession?
The transition from study to work wasn’t as daunting as I had thought. In the final year
of RBS students are chosen to work with the Royal Ballet on a number of their productions,
I soon learnt the importance of rest, eating well and managing my time...”
Harrison performing while still a student at the Royal Ballet School.
mostly small walk-on roles. I was one of the lucky few as I was involved in a number of productions throughout the year. This was a great introduction to company life, which also helped me feel much more at ease in those first few weeks of my professional career.
What were the most important benefits
of your studies?
I had a long commute to school on public transport, which was between 60-90 minutes, and often the same after school when my parents couldn’t pick me up. With all the early mornings and late nights plus dancing it was inevitable that I would be tired. I knew if my school work suffered then I would have to forego a ballet class – that was the rule at home. I soon learnt the importance of rest, eating well, managing my time and how crucial it was for me to look after myself in terms of health and wellbeing and how it could really impact my performance.
How quickly did you gain employment upon graduation?
At the RBS directors of ballet companies would often watch our classes and performances, which is a great advantage
for students, particularly in our final year.
I hadn’t auditioned yet when two days prior to Christmas the director of the Royal Ballet offered me a contract to join the company
as an “Aud Jebsen” young dancer in the new season. I graduated in July, 2018, came home to Australia for a holiday and returned to London to start work.
Tell us a little about life at the Royal.
We work six days a week and our days are very diverse. Each day starts with a ballet class and then it very much depends on what we are performing and if we are rehearsing any upcoming productions. Some days we can rehearse two new ballets and then perform
a completely different ballet that evening.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019 | WWW.DANCEAUSTRALIA.COM.AU | 31
PHOTO: JOHAN PERSSON