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September 6, 2006
Kelowna Capital News
By Andrew Watts
Taylor McAuley has been dancing across the country since she was just three years old, and now the 14 year old Kelowna resident is on her way to Winnipeg and one of the most respected ballet schools in the country.
On Labour Day, McAuley left for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional School where she will be performing with some very exclusive company.
The school is a respected training ground for students who want to pursue a career as a professional dancer.
"I'm really excited," McAuley said before she left. “I really wanted to go to Winnipeg because it is thought of as one of the better schools in Canada.”
McAuley’s trip to Winnipeg got its start in Alberta and then crisscrossed the country before finally taking flight at the Kelowna International Airport.
Dean McAuley, Taylor’s father, moved around a lot because of his job. And as a result Taylor switched dance schools and cities six times before she was 11 years old.
However, throughout the many moves, ballet remained a constant in Taylor’s life and the diversity of programs and instructors she experienced provided her with a unique perspective and background.
Three years ago, the McAuley’s landed in Kelowna and last year after an audition at the Canadian School of Ballet, Taylor was accepted into the Winnipeg school.
“It was very nerve wracking, because there was a lot of people watching,” Taylor said. “But now I’m looking forward to going to Winnipeg.”
As a part of the school’s program, Taylor will be splitting her time between academic studies and ballet classes while she lives in residence. Taylor will be leaving her immediate family behind for now, but she has plenty of relatives in Winnipeg to keep her company and cheer her on.
“Most of my mom’s family is there. My aunts, uncles and cousins and my grandparents,” McAuley said. “So even though I will be on my own, I know a lot of people there.”
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