Emma Keane
My name is Emma Keane and I am currently a member of the Irish National Youth Ballet Co. Although I didn't start ballet until I was nine years old, I took to it immediately. I quickly caught up with my own age group by doing my exams every six months. My teacher has taught me a lot since I was nine and her name is Paula Kearns. I am now studying Elementary ballet with Paula and I hope to do my exam at the end of May.

I first started ballet because my main saw that I was getting quite tall and was afraid that I might start to slouch. She thought that ballet would help me to stand up straight and it did. I attended my first lesson and I couldn't wait till my second one. I attend my classes with Paula every week in Leixlip where I live. I attend one Elementary class with Paula and one class with the I.N.Y.B. every week.

My favourite ballet to watch is The Nutcracker and I have seen it twice live and once on screen. Anne Campbell-Crawford approached me when I was at a class 'in the College of Dance during the summer and asked me if I wanted to audition for the company. That's how I heard about the auditions. As I have only been in the INYB Co. for a few weeks, I have not yet taken part in any of their performances.

When I leave school I would like to be a dance teacher, teaching ballet, tap, modem and theatre craft. I would also like to have my own ballet school.