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Marta Marychuk Reporter mmarychuk@oakvillebeaver.com Artscene 13 | Friday September 1, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insidehalton.com "Connected to your Community" Dancer headed for major international competition by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver Staff Camille Rene-Waterhouse of Oakville will be travelling to Lisbon, Portugal this September to compete in the Genée International Ballet Competition. The 16-year-old, who dances with the Oakville School of Classical Ballet, will be one of 54 dancers in the competition from across the world. "I was very excited," says Camille, after learning she had scored top marks on her last ballet exam. Her marks were submitted for the ballet competition and Camille was selected to participate. "It's going to be nice," she adds. The Genée International Ballet Competition, which is one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, is held from Sept. 7-16. Candidates between the ages of 15 and 19 receive a unique opportunity to work with renowned choreographers and teachers for ve days before performing at the semi- nals, and then the nal, where they compete for a range of medals. Applicants must be current members of the Royal Academy of Dance. Camille, who attends St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, has been dancing for eight years. As a child, Camille says she was "really excitable" so her mother enrolled her in dance classes as a way to channel the energy. To prepare for the competition, Camille trains two hours every day from Monday to Friday doing classical ballet, Pilates and contemporary dance. After the Genée International Ballet Competition, Camille is hoping to secure an apprenticeship with a ballet company in North America or Europe. Oakville School of Classical Ballet student Camille Rene-Waterhouse, 16, will be heading to Portugal on Sept. 6 to compete in the International Genne Ballet Competition. | Nikki Wesley/Metroland