Two experienced dancers from New Westminster are taking to the stage this week in Douglas Ballet Academy's first full-length ballet production, Coppelia.
Sisters Laura and Sarah Lilley have the roles of Chinese Big Doll and Scottish Big Doll, solo numbers in the comic ballet.
Laura has been dancing with the Douglas Ballet Academy for 20 years and has travelled with the school to perform in Alaska and Disneyland as well as throughout B.C. She has also danced in fundraisers for the B.C. Cancer Foundation and B.C. Children's Hospital and has competed in many Lower Mainland festivals and competitions.
Sarah, a recent graduate of Simon Fraser University's Beedie School of Business, has been dancing since she was three, most of that time with the Douglas Ballet Academy.
In addition to dancing in Alaska and Disneyland and around the province, Sarah has also taken part in fundraisers and danced in the Royal City Youth Ballet's Nutcracker. She has also had the chance to work with Karen Kain, Peggy Baker and Wen Wei Wang.
They're both excited to be taking part in Coppelia - which is the fulfilment of a longtime dream for studio owner and principal Kelly Douglas.
She's working alongside veteran dancer and teacher Robert Policarpio, along with staff and volunteers, to give the students a chance to experience the challenges of a full-length ballet production.
Coppelia will showcase the talents of more than 50 dancers, from students in just their second year of ballet training to those with 20 years or more of experience. Three guest artists and three academy teachers will join the students for the production.
Coppelia is on at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7: 30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. See www.douglas ballet.com for information.
