New Zealand Child Dancer

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 49, 28 February 1938, Page 11

New Zealand Child Dancer

TAME PREDICTED New Zealanders in London had an opportunity to see the Dominion dancer, Miss Bebe de Roland, at the New Zealand reception and ball organised by the Royal Empire Society on January 28. Bebe, who is only 12 years old and is described as the world’s youngest ballet dancer, was partnered by Stanley Judson, dancing partner of the late Anna Pavlova, in the graceful pas de deux from * ‘Aurora’s Wedding.” She appeared to even better advantage in her solo, Mozart’s “Gavotte Joyeuse,” which she danced through twice without a pause, writes a Star correspondent. Her ballet mistress, Madame Lydia Kyasht, is delighted with the progress her talented little pupil has made in the 15 months she has been studying at the Kyasht Academy, and glowingly predicts a great future for her. “If she aan dance like this at 12,” she said, “there can be no doubt of the heights to which she will rise as a ballerina. ’ ’ For a child of her years, Bebe is leading an extraordinary busy life. First thing in the morning she begins her ordinary school lessos which she does by correspodence under her mother’s supervision. Her classes at the Academy begin at 11.30, with two hours’ ballet practice, and continue throughout the afternoon. In addition to the ballet, she is learning tap, character and ballroom dancing and her ballet mistress reports that her tap is especially promising. She is also studying drama and make-up and has recently begun piano lessons as well. She has been dancing regularly in Madame Kyasht’s recitals, and though she has plenty of time to think about a stage career, it is hoped to bring her before London audiences in the near future. ‘‘My greatest ambition is to be a great dancer,” she says. “I would rather be the performer always, but in a way I would like to teach, too, so as to help others to get the same pleasure from dancing that I do. I love New Zealand,” she added, “and some day I hope to go back and dance there-' especially in Wellington, where my home used to be.” Known in New Zealand as Bebe Witts-Burt, she has adopted de Roland, \ family name! as her. “nom d$ daa»V* ;