ONE of the annual attractions on the dance calendar, the South African Ballet Theatre's first Winter School will be held at the SABT's studios in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on June 21- 26 .

ONE of the annual attractions on the dance calendar, the South African Ballet Theatre's first Winter School will be held at the SABT's studios in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on June 21- 26 .

Established in 2001 after the closure of the State Theatre Ballet in 2000, SABT has forged a central niche in the local dance sector. The school is a nonprofit, Section 21 Company.

It is the country's largest professional ballet company and has established itself as a major player in the performing arts with impressive productions of classical ballets and new works by South African choreographers and collaborators across international boundaries.

International stars such as Mara Galeazzi (Royal Ballet), Guillaume Côté (National Ballet of Canada) and Maina Gielgud (English National Ballet) have worked and performed with SABT.

In June 2008, it was awarded the 2007 PetroSA Proudly South African HomeGrown Award for the Nation Builder of the Year.

The Winter School is an ideal opportunity for young dancers wishing to pursue a career in dance to experience the environment of a professional company and be taught by SABT members.

Dancers between 6 to 18 years are invited to attend a fun-filled week that includes ballet, repertoire, contemporary-dance, national dance, stretching, pas de deux, improvisation, pointe work, stage-craft and Pilates classes and much much more.

The week will culminate in a performance by participants for friends and family on June 26 from 11am to noon.