Perth dancer Shaun Kelly is returning to Scotland to take to the stage in the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) production of Giselle at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre.
The 25-year-old started at the Dance School of Scotland at the age of 12 after his dad spotted an advert, and in 2007 he gained a scholarship with the English National Ballet School before moving to New Zealand.
Shaun said: “I made the move to work with legendary ballet dancer Ethan Stiefl.
“He is a ballet star and I had a great time working with him.
“I loved the versatility of styles at the RNZB from performing my first Balanchine ballet dancing alongside guest Gillian Murphy from American Ballet Theatre.
“I love how the company’s repertoire has enabled me to grow as an artist.
“It is a common misconception that ballet dancing is easy, which it most certainly is not.
“Ballet dancers at professional level are considered elite athletes as we have to maintain our bodies at peak condition.”
Shaun who trains for seven hours a day, six days a week still has family in the Fair City and said they have backed him all the way.
“My parents have always been so proud of my achievements in dance,” he said.
“They have supported my drive to become a professional dancer and it’s so great I get to come home and dance for all my family and friends who have been a huge support my whole life.
“My uncle to this day still calls me ‘Billy’ (after the character Billy Elliot).
“For me dance was something I enjoyed so much that jealous words never got to me.
“I suppose, like Billy, for me it’s just about my love for dance and performing to great audiences.”
While currently enjoying the range of roles he has been given, Shaun also has an eye on his life after professional dancing.
He said: “In the future I would love to teach, choreograph or become a ballet master or director of a ballet company.
“I look forward to the day I can pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation.”
Giselle will open in Edinburgh on Tuesday night.