Preceding the 75th AGM of the London Ballet Circle, members and guests were treated to a fascinating interview with Ginevra Zambon and Daichi Ikarashi, both former winners of the LBC’s Dame Ninette Award, led by Director of the Royal Ballet School, Chris Powney.
To start, Chris asked Ginevra and Daichi how they got into dance. Ginevra’s father was a guitar player in a band back in Italy, so she said music was always a big part of her life and since “I never had a great voice, I danced instead!” When she was 12, she “came across the Royal Ballet School and never looked back!” Daichi recalls that he used to do “football, hip-hop, and ballet” and quickly realised that ballet was something special. He started training, entering competitions and, having been invited for a two week workshop at White Lodge, proceeded to join the Royal Ballet School.
The conversation also encompassed what it was like to move from a foreign country to study in London – Daichi recalled that “I didn’t speak English at all when I first came. I didn’t understand anything in my first GCSE science lesson, and I just sat there trying not to disturb anyone else!” Also discussed were the challenges that the young dancers at the Royal Ballet School face and the difficulties of transitioning from school to a professional company. Among highlights of their time at the school, Ginevra mentioned the summer performances at Holland Park – particularly the Swan Lake pas de trois that she danced with Daichi!
To conclude the interview, the dancers were asked for their highlights since joining the Royal Ballet. Ginevra, said she “loves the dramatic moments – not thinking about steps, just creating a story in the background.” Likewise, Daichi recalled: “Recently we were doing Romeo and Juliet – I love the town square scene. I get so into the acting that I sometimes forget the next step!”
This was a truly insightful ‘in conversation’ event, and it was incredibly exciting to hear from two young dancers at the outset of what will certainly be highly successful careers.
A full report will be published on the website in due course and the recording uploaded to the members only section in a few months’ time.
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