My Ballet Journey alongside Celine Gittens, Famed Ballerina
From Trinidad to the Stage: A Career with the Birmingham Royal Ballet for Celine Gittens
In an extraordinary ballet career spanning ten years with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Celine Gittens has etched her name into history as the first black ballerina to dance the dual roles of Odette and Odile in Swan Lake. Born in Durban, South Africa, Gittens, now a Principal Dancer with the company, has a rich background that meshes three continents.
Gittens' earliest memory of ballet is watching her mother teach her dance school in Trinidad, where she was raised. "I was probably about three years old or even two and a half and I was watching my mum teach," recalls Gittens, "She was correcting the kids, and subconsciously I did the correction that she wanted."
Growing up surrounded by the arts, Gittens' passion for the stage was already evident. Her mother, originally from Turkey, was classically trained with the Royal Academy of Dance technique and later taught in both Trinidad and Canada. Gittens credits her mother's influence for her innate love of dance and art.
It was during a Gene International ballet competition in London in 2005 that the stage beckoned for Gittens. Her performance earned her an invitation to audition for the Royal Ballet School the following year. After being accepted, she moved to the UK to begin her professional dance training.
Upon joining the Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2006, Gittens quickly climbed the ranks, securing significant roles such as the Arabian in The Nutcracker. She later understudied the lead roles of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, a progression she describes as "quite smooth."
In 2016, Gittens made history by becoming the first black ballerina to dance Odette/Odile in Swan Lake with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. This transformative experience proved both a lifelong ambition and a significant moment for diversity in the ballet world.
Gittens' dedication to teaching is evident in her mentoring of young dancers and her participation in outreach programs aiming to make ballet accessible to diverse communities. She aspires to continue teaching once her performing career concludes.
Gittens advocates for increasing representation and inclusion in ballet, emphasizing the importance of access to dance education in academic schools. She believes this is key to fostering wider interest in the art form.
In conclusion, Celine Gittens has forged an extraordinary path in ballet, breaking barriers and inspiring countless aspiring dancers. Her historical achievements, combined with her commitment to inclusivity, firmly cement her as a trailblazer in the ballet world.
- Celine Gittens, now a Principal Dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, has a rich background that spans three continents, influenced by her mother's classical training and teaching in various countries.
- In 2005, the stage beckoned for Gittens during a Gene International ballet competition in London, where she won an invitation to audition for the Royal Ballet School the following year.
- Despite her success in careers related to fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and shopping, Gittens' passion for dance remained unparalleled, leading her to professional dance training.
- Gittens advocates for education-and-self-development, particularly in dance, believing that access to such opportunities in academic schools is crucial for fostering wider interest and representation in the arts.
- Gittens credits her mother's influence for her innate love of dance and art, tracing her earliest memory of ballet to watching her mother teach in Trinidad when she was just two and a half years old.
- In addition to her incredible career developments in the ballet world, Gittens is also dedicated to teaching young dancers and participating in outreach programs to make ballet accessible to diverse communities.
- Gittens' travel experiences, from Durban to Trinidad, have shaped her unique perspectives on culture and relationships, enriching both her performances and her personal life.
- As a pet owner, Gittens has cultivated a lifestyle that values nurturing relationships not only with fellow humans but also with animals, embodying a spirit of compassion and care that extends beyond the stage.
