AN IRVINE ballet star has joined in an online dance performance after the COVID-19 crisis cancelled his tour.

Nineteen-year-old Zak Lynn should be on a five month tour performing in venues across England with the touring company Ballet Central, but had to return home to Irvine as education organisations closed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

And he has now joined in an online choreographic project with 27 fellow dancers from around the world which will be released as a three minute film on YouTube: Centrally Connected Performs and Ballet Central’s website on today [June 23].

Zak said: “Having the ability to continue training online even though I am away from Central’s studios in London has been extremely beneficial, and has proven that there is always a way to see the light in dark times.

“Furthermore, completing my own choreographic project to music where I have had complete control has given me the opportunity to push my artistic boundaries in dance. It has been fun and really stimulating to explore the choreographic options in and around my home in Scotland.”

Each student was given the challenge of choreographing and performing a solo to a specially created and coronavirus-inspired piece of music by Central’s composer-in-residence Philip Feeney.

Centrally Connected is an online training, teaching and learning programme supporting 117 students in 12 countries, also providing online training for Central’s Junior, Prep and Pre Senior dance students.

Zak will complete his degree this July at Central, a world-leading professional dance training centre in London, despite the lockdown.

Selected from hundreds of candidates, Zak was one of a few to secure a coveted place on Central’s three year BA (Hons) degree in Professional Dance and Performance, accredited by the University of Kent and affiliated with the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.

On average only 40 students are accepted each year which includes joining Ballet Central in the final year.

The tour provides invaluable touring experience before graduation. Most students take up jobs in the top international dance companies or in theatre productions.

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