Year 9 Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School (IGGS) student Grace Cruwys has been studying ballet from the age of 2. A member of the IGGS Dance Troupe, if Grace is not dancing on stage, you can likely find her dancing around the house.

Studying at the Sayers Dance Centre in Kenmore, a place she says feels much like her second home, Grace spends countless hours attending intensive rehearsals. This is in addition to her academic studies and dance troupe rehearsals at IGGS.

“Dance gives me a sense of belonging,” Grace said. “Once of my most favorite memories is when I was asked personally by my dance teacher if I would like to compete in an international competition in New Zealand, the Alana Haines Australian Awards.”

For this event, Grace underwent multiple costume fitting sessions and learnt a solo from the famous ballet, Giselle. In New Zealand, Grace participated in an open masterclass and performed in the Wellington Opera House.

Grace is also involved with the Ballet Theatre of Queensland (BTQ), a company which aims to set students up for real-world ballet experiences. For BTQ, Grace has been cast as a member for Swan Lake Act 2, and The Graduation Ball. She will be performing at QPAC in January 2023.

This year, Grace received an Honourable Mention in the Jacqueline Morland Awards (JMA) receiving Winter Course Intensive program with the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D). She also attended the Youth America Grand Prix intensive workshops (YAGP) where she was taught by Yasmine Naghdi, Principal Dancer of the Royal Ballet in London. Grace has also featured in the Courier Mail, as one of fifty up-and-coming young dancers. She is currently completing a Cert III in Dance, through the Sayers Dance Centre.

Head of Co-curricular Arts at IGGS Zoe Brecht said the school was very proud of Grace’s achievements. “You are an inspiration to your peers and fellow dancers, and we are certain you have a bright future in ballet.”