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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 27, 2013 | 26 Local ballerinas competing in Glasgow this week by Scott Stewart Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" Two Oakville dancers are competing in a world-renowned competition in Scotland. Sarah Tarrant, 17, and Emily Knuckey, 16, will represent the Oakville School of Dance at the Genée International Ballet Competition. The competition is the Royal Academy of Dance's (RAD) annual signature event and attracts dancers from around the world. It runs through Sunday, and will be held in Glasgow. "It's definitely the biggest thing that we've done," Knuckey said. The dancers have a combined 22 years experience -- an impressive total given their youth. Knuckey has been dancing for a dozen years while Tarrant has a decade of dance under her belt. Tarrant has always danced in Oakville, while Knuckey returned after starting her career here and then leaving for another dance school. Part of the appeal for Tarrant was the chance to follow in her sister Celine's footsteps. "It was something my sister did when she was really young, and one day I asked my parents if I can do ballet too," she said. "I knew this was something I wanted to do forever." The Genée competition is open to those who have received a distinction on their Advanced 2 RAD exam. There various levels of exams, including Pre-Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and Solo Seal, which is the final exam. "Once you get that distinction on your Advanced 2, you're eligible to do your Solo Seal exam, which we both did last spring," Tarrant said. "You're also allowed to compete in the Genée." The pair have already earned a spot in the semifinals of the competition, based on their earning distinction on their Advanced 2 exam. Tarrant and Knuckey are the latest in an ever-growing line of Oakville dancers who have competed in the Genée, including Alexandra Babiuk (2008) and Rosslyn King (2010). King now dances in London for the Central School of Ballet in London, U.K. The prospect of joining a new school, or After high scores in their Advanced 2 and Solo Seal examinations, Oakville School of Classical Ballet students Sarah Tarrant, 17, (right) and Emily Knuckey, 16, headed to the prestigious Genee International Ballet Competition in Glasgow, Scotland last week. | photo by Nikki Wesley - Oakville Beaver (@halton_photog) with Over 400 shops, restaurants and services WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE? FALL FEST - OCT 5, 11AM-4PM Events brought to you by the businesses of Downtown Oakville even being noticed by another instructor, is appealing to the girls. "The hope is that when we go to an international competition like this, as great as it would be to win, just being there is a wonderful experience with the chance to be seen by artistic directors from other companies," Tarrant said. "In many cases, people who don't win still end up being contacted by other amazing schools." One of the ways the other schools can evaluate Tarrant and Knuckey is through a new part of the competition called Dancer's Own. "A teacher or a friend can choreograph a piece for you," Knuckey said. "Sarah is choreographing one for both of us." Tarrant was first given the opportunity to choreograph a piece for a school performance. The girls agree the instruction they've received from artistic director Amanda Bayliss and Debbie Wilson has further enhanced their desire to dance. "Once we introduced a professional train- ing program to the studio, I was even more certain that with the extensive training and all the opportunities for performing that you get, I knew this was something I'd love to keep doing," Tarrant said. The pair are also thankful to their high schools for helping them achieve their dreams. Tarrant, who attends Abbey Park, and Knuckey, a Garth Webb student, say they have both been given leeway by their respective schools with regards to dancing. "The program we do starts halfway through the day," Tarrant said. "They've been great in organizing our schedule so we can get all of our credits, and letting us take the classes we want." Knuckey said schools are supposed to prepare you for your career, and that if you know your career isn't going to be in the academic field, "they should help you towards your artistic goals as well." You can learn more about the Genée competition, by visiting www.rad.org.uk and for more on the Oakville School of Dance, visit www.oakvilleballet.com. COME SHOP, DINE AND EXPLORE! Incredible Shopping, Specials & Entertainment for all! The Sunshine Boys by Neil Simon Wednesday October 2 to Sunday October 6, 2013 Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office 905.815.2021 or 1.888.489.7784 or www.oakvillecentre.ca www.botg.ca Directed by David Nash Produced by John Smissen Curtain / 8pm Wednesday to Saturday / 2pm Sunday TICKETS / $25 WEDNESDAY PREVIEW/ $15 STUDENTS / $5 with ID Group Discounts Available An agency of the Government of Ontario. Relève du gouvernement de l'Ontario. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.