This summer, a young Vernon ballet student is living out a dream – dancing at one of the most renowned dance schools in the country.
At just 13 years old, Kendra Jones-Munk is travelling halfway across the country to attend the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s (RWB) summer session pre-professional ballet program.
Every year, hundreds of young dancers from around the world audition for a chance to be selected for this prestigious program.
Jones-Munk, who auditioned in the Kelowna open auditions held earlier this year at the Canadian School of Ballet, says she is living the dream of all young ballerinas: the chance to train among the elite students and faculty in Winnipeg.
“I’m excited, nervous and freaking out,” she said, before leaving for Manitoba’s capital Tuesday. “I have a whole range of emotions. This will be the longest time I’ve been away from home in my whole life, but it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I’m sure of it.”
Jones-Munk’s love of dance began when she was just three years old. Her mother, Melanie Munk, enrolled her in a dance class at the Vernon Recreation Complex, and was surprised to find out the class was actually a beginner ballet class.
“That wasn’t what I signed her up for, but she loved it,” said Munk.
Showing promise at the young age of three, Jones-Munk’s first teacher, Nicole Kostrosky, encouraged her to enter Accentz School of Dance for continued training.
And dance she did.
“She rarely walked; she danced everywhere. Every photograph taken of her had to have a dance pose…,” said Munk, adding her daughter’s biggest fans also include her dad, Ken, and grandma, Sharon.
“When the results of the (RWB) audition showed that Kendra had been selected for the program, I think the scream could be heard for blocks.”
Jones-Munk has continued her ballet training at Accentz, and she has also explored tap, modern and jazz dance. However, her first love has always been ballet.
“Kendra has always been known as a hard worker during her dance classes,” said Accentz owner Becky Martselos. “She remains focused and always strives to do her very best.”
Through the years, Jones-Munk has taken part in many competitions, both in group and solo routines. She has always brought home medals and has placed in the top three for her ballet solos and in her group routines.
She also received Dancer of the Year when she was six years old, and last June was honoured with a scholarship from Accentz to aid in furthering her dance education.
Jones-Munk’s ballet teacher, Amie Roussel says she is impressed by her student’s work ethic and the dedication to the many hours of independent practise she puts in.
“I’ve always encouraged Kendra to take part in outreach programs, whether it be through master classes when visiting dance companies come to town or in the form of summer camps,” said Roussel, adding last summer, Jones-Munk had the opportunity to work with dancers from a professional Russian dance company.
This past fall, Roussel encouraged Jones-Munk to audition for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet when the tour came to Kelowna.
“It would be a great experience, and would give her another chance to learn from professionals,” said Roussel.
At the RWB summer session, Jones-Munk, along with two other Accentz dance students, brothers Cameron and Jonathan Fraser-Monroe, will train among those aspiring to become professional ballet dancers.
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School professional division was founded in 1970 by former principal dancer David Moroni, who was asked by the RWB board of directors to establish a professional training institution to further the development of the RWB Company.
The RWB school, located in historic downtown Winnipeg, is a state-of-the-art facility designed and built specifically for dance. The school contains 12 spacious, sprung-floor studios, including a 150-seat performance space. Graduates and alumni work on four continents as dancers, teachers, artistic directors, choreographers, and arts administrators in companies and schools worldwide.
Students are evaluated during the summer session, and some of them will be offered a chance to continue through the year, where they will attend academic classes and dance. The academic program is a full-time, seven-level program and provides permanent housing to up to 70 students between the ages of 10 and 18 during the school year.
Over the duration of the summer, Jones-Munk will spend time each day doing ballet, modern/creative movement and character/historical dance, learn anatomy, music appreciation, pointe, and jazz.
She will also take advantage of a variety of social outings and activities with the other students, with one of the highlight being a visit to the Assiniboine Zoo, and meeting “Kendra,” a Siberian tiger who lives there and shares her namesake.
