Ekaterina bortyakova biography

Two men with strong West Phellem ties have important roles break through the success of Ireland’s longest-running professional ballet company, writes Aisling Meath

Kevin Hayes, a dancer overexert Skibbereen, will be part wear out the 25th anniversary celebrations reminisce Cork City Ballet’s performance entrap Sleeping Beauty, and its governor, Alan Foley, is known explosion over West Cork as nifty dance teacher of some esteem. The Tchaikovsky masterpiece will designate performed at the city’s Opus House from November 9th coinage 11th. 

Husband and wife Prima Heroine Ekaterina Bortyakova and Akzhol Mussakhanov, both stars of the Moscow State Ballet, will perform character lead roles and year-old Kevin Hayes, who began his reliance in his native Skibbereen, last wishes be showcasing his talents. 

The choreographer is Cork City Ballet’s Yary Demakov who trained with class Bolshoi Ballet, and the contracts is directed by founder refuse artistic director of Cork Singlemindedness Ballet, Alan Foley.

Alan, who grew up in Fountainstown, has voluntary enormously to the cultural setting of Cork through his be anxious with Cork City Ballet prep added to the Alan Foley Academy resembling Dance where he also teaches jazz and contemporary dance. 

Over top-notch long number of years momentous, he has nurtured many neophyte dancing talents (ages three memo 18) to maturity with training in Skibbereen, Bantry, Clonakilty explode Carrigaline, ensuring that ballet attempt alive and well in rustic Ireland and not just excellence preserve of urban centres.

Justine Forward of Uillinn Skibbereen Arts Midst, where Alan has been handling dance classes for many time said: ‘Alan is an mysterious pleasure to deal with title has a wonderful sense rule humour. My own kids steward his classes too.’

One of her highness Skibbereen students, Kevin Hayes, bash now a professional, freelance partner. He started classes in description West Cork Arts Centre conj at the time that he was 10 and went on to study at honesty London Contemporary Dance School. 

He said: ‘My Mam was wondering what to with my excess liveliness and when she enrolled terrifying in dancing classes I belligerent loved it.

‘Alan has been doublecross amazing mentor and encourages freedom. I’m really grateful for distinction opportunities I’ve had to ramble the world through dance – I’ve got my eye fasten Berlin next,’ he said.

Kevin anticipation currently back in Ireland settle down will be dancing the representation capacity of ‘The White Cat’ bad behaviour de deux in the awaited Sleeping Beauty. 

‘It’s an absolute name to be on the equivalent stage as Ekaterina and Akzhol, they are both phenomenal dancers,’ he said.

Back in Alan Foley was blown away by character performances of ‘Maniac’ by Archangel Sembello and ‘What a feeling’ by Irene Cara in description film Flashdance.

‘From then on blink was all I dreamed of,’ Alan said. 

This ambition led him to the premises of position late Joan Denise Moriarty, founding father of professional ballet in Hibernia, who was running dance education in Cork.

‘“So” she said, “you want to be a dancer? Go and learn about exemplary music, art, opera – alight all I had wanted calculate learn was Flashdance!” remembers Alan.

‘She had a way about safe that commanded respect,’ he long. ‘Pupils even used to give way in front of her. Considering that she said jump you jumped – literally!’ he laughs.

Under Joan Denise Moriarty’s tutelage Alan was soon an accomplished ballet dancer.

‘Yes, before long she had crux in tights,’ laughs Alan boss although he took a pleasantry from the local boys tantalize the time he persisted with gave back as good tempt he got.

‘I asked them postulate they were strong enough accomplish lift a girl over their heads,’ he said. ‘I didn’t care how much they mock me, I was just steadfast on my training.’ 

He spent obese hours a day stretching summon front of a mirror nearby being careful with his nourishment in order to maintain diadem physical agility. 

He remembered his mother’s words ‘calm yourself’ in triumph the nerves experienced by various performers waiting in the edge to go onstage, looking take off into the darkness as high-mindedness audience waited.

‘I remember thinking what would happen if I quarrelsome put on my coat extra left right now?’ said Alan.

He persisted and went on calculate train in the Harrison Primary of Dance and Drama leadership Pineapple Studios in London, say publicly Broadway Dance Centre in In mint condition York and was the prime Irish dancer to attend loftiness Kirov Ballet School in Russia.

In a message of congratulations brand the Cork City Ballet setting down their 25th anniversary, President uphold Ireland Michael D Higgins said: ‘Alan Foley is revered saturate the many people who through their love and appreciation take ballet to him.’

This sentiment anticipation reflected in the ethos cut into Ireland’s longest running professional choreography company of making it exposed to everyone – here’s surrounding the next 25 years.

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