(Newswire.net — December 17, 2013) Singapore, Singapore — Singapore American School (SAS) High School Junior Colton West competed in the International Competition du Grasse in Grasse, France, in November, winning the superior boys category. An accomplished dancer who specializes in ballet, he also dances jazz, hip hop, world dance, contemporary and other world dances. Colton spent the past four months preparing for this competition, training two and a half hours every day after school, and dancing around six hours a day on weekends.
This competition is one of many international ballet competitions used by young students to get their names into the international dance community in order to secure spots in dance companies. Held at the Theatre Du Grasse and organized by Jeune Ballet Mediterranean, this event is one of the most important classical European competitions based on its growing reputation, its quality, level of participants and the reputation of members of the international jury.
Tracy Ven Der Linden, who is Colton’s dance educator teacher at SAS, said, “Colton is incredibly humble…a very talented young man. [He’s] had to breakdance and do other dances other than ballet [in his high school classes].” She also shared that she “Thinks she has the best job in the world…[Her students] learn about themselves through dance… and it’s really cool to watch.” She is an alumnae of the International School in Kuala Lumpur. After earning her degree in dance and education in her home country of Australia, she was hired as a dance educator at SAS nine years ago.
Later this fall, Colton is featured in SAS’ production of Alice, based on the book Alice in Wonderland. He is helping to choreograph the dance production and also mentors and teaches the younger middle school dance students.
Earlier this year, before Colton moved to Singapore, he co-starred in The Thorn as Adam, “The people have been the best part of being in The Thorn for me. Last year he was featured as the Nutcracker Prince with Ballet Idaho and the Arabian Lead in the Colorado Youth Ballet Nutcracker. He attended American Ballet Theatre’s six week ballet intensive program in New York City on a full scholarship before moving to Singapore to start the school year at SAS.
“When I finish I want to join a professional company and play as many parts as I can,” Colton said. “I would also love to go to Julliard; that would be an amazing opportunity. New York City is the Holy Land of Dance.”
Established in 1956, the school primarily serves the American and international expatriate communities of Singapore. SAS is registered with the Singapore Council for Private Education, affiliated with the Office of Overseas Schools through the U.S. Department of State, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
For more information about Singapore American School visit www.sas.edu.sg.
Acknowledgements to the Norma Engelberg of Colorado Community Media, Donna Leong of Fresh Ink and Ted Mehl of A Better Image Photography.
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