Page 9 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - April '22

Jupiter Ocean Mile, Page 9
Florida Teen Selected For Prestigious Training

Program At Dutch National Ballet

Devon Luxton, 17, Was The Sole American quickly from there. I am so proud of him and his many hours
Male Dancer Offered A Contract At Barcelona’s of training that have earned his success.”
Grand Audition, Earning A Coveted Spot At Within 18 months of starting training, Devon traveled to
Kansas City, Mo., to compete in the regional dance competition
The Renowned Dance Company’s Training Youth America Grand Prix, often referred to as the “Olympics
Program In Amsterdam of ballet.” Up against students who had been training for many
years, he won first place – then went on to dance in the New
It’s a real-life Billy Elliot story. York finals. In the years since, he has been selected for the finals
Similar to the young hero of the Broadway blockbuster and every year and has been offered numerous scholarships and
film, a talented American teen who started ballet classes only opportunities. He has attended summer intensives at such famed
five years ago has earned a sought-after training program spot Jupiter’s 17-year-old Devon Luxton has earned a sought- institutions as the Paris Opera Ballet (where Feray received his
at one of the world’s foremost professional ballet schools: the after training program spot at one of the world’s foremost training), Joffrey Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet Academy,
Dutch National Ballet Academy in the Netherlands. professional ballet schools: the Dutch National Ballet which solidified his love for the school and company.
Jupiter resident Devon Luxton, 17, was selected through a Academy in the Netherlands. He earned the spot earlier “Devon has been recruited for many renowned residential
rigorous video audition process as one of 177 dancers worldwide this month in Spain, where he was the only American male training programs through the years, but we’ve always felt
invited to audition at Barcelona’s Grand Audition on Feb. 8 and dancer offered a contract at Barcelona’s Grand Audition. that he’s already getting exceptional ballet training at Paris
9, a prominent audition opportunity for dancers (ages 17 to 26) to Photo by Jonathan Givens Ballet and Dance,” said Julie Luxton, his mother. “His success
be seen by directors of multiple international ballet companies. of EPS Entertainment Photography Specialists is a testament to Jean-Hugues Feray, who is an extraordinary
After the first day, the dancers were narrowed down to 49 (of teacher. Devon has received elite training at Paris Ballet that is
whom Luxton was the only American male dancer), and only 10 Meisner, choreographer and artistic director. “He performed comparable with some of the best international ballet schools
of those dancers were offered positions by company directors. wonderfully well in Barcelona and I look forward to working in the world.”
He was one of them – accepting a coveted placement that most with him at our academy this fall.” Meisner of the Dutch National Ballet Academy congratulated
young dancers can only dream of. Luxton’s journey started just five years ago, when he saw a Feray for Devon’s progress. “Devon has improved so much
“It was an amazing experience,” said Luxton. “I’ve known regional production of Billy Elliot: The Musical, the hit musical since I last saw him in our summer program,” he said.
for some time that the Dutch National Ballet was where I wanted about a boy who discovers ballet and the teacher who fosters his And ballet isn’t Luxton’s only gift. A skilled visual artist,
to be. I can’t wait to continue training in their pre-professional natural talent. Inspired by the show and subsequent exposure to he is a senior digital media major at West Palm Beach’s A.W.
division starting this fall.” Only 12 male dancers and 12 female other dance musicals, Luxton, then 11, told his parents he’d like Dreyfoos School of the Arts, a highly competitive magnet school
dancers from across the world earn spots each year for the to try ballet. His mother enrolled him in his first class on his 12th that consistently ranks among the top 2 percent of high schools
61-year-old Dutch National Ballet Academy’s celebrated two- birthday at Paris Ballet and Dance, the Jupiter school founded nationwide. After school and on weekends, he spends six days
year training program. An opportunity that will also earn Luxton in 2009 by former international ballet star Jean-Hugues Feray. per week training with Feray at Paris Ballet.
an associate’s degree in classical ballet, the intensive program A native of France, Feray served as a principal dancer Prior to moving to Amsterdam in the fall, he will attend
serves as a training ground for the legendary Dutch National with many international companies, including Ballet Florida summer intensive sessions on scholarship at Princess Grace
Ballet Company, the official and largest ballet company in the and National Ballet de Marseille. With both his school and Academy at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the famed institution
Netherlands. The program gives talented young dancers the conservatory, he and his staff focus on teaching ballet in its familiar to Billy Elliott fans: the Royal Ballet School in London.
opportunity to prepare for a career with Dutch National Ballet purest, original French form, in addition to other forms of dance. He will travel this month to compete in the regional competition
or another leading international ballet company. Its dancers also He knew immediately that Devon had natural talent that could where it all began: the Youth America Grand Prix regional
regularly perform in popular professional productions by Dutch be cultivated, Feray said. competition in Kansas City, Mo. He was seen in Paris Ballet’s
National Ballet. “Ballet is something that chooses the dancer, and it absolutely three performances at The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the
“We are thrilled that Devon Luxton will join Dutch National chose Devon,” he said. “He is incredibly naturally talented, so Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, including Mixed Bill: An
Ballet Academy’s associate degree upper school,” said Ernst we started with the fundamentals of ballet and he progressed Evening of Dance on March 20.
“This is a unique opportunity for audiences to see all of my
school’s most advanced dancers perform before they leave to start
professional careers, including Luxton,” Feray said. “I’d like to
encourage everyone to come and see the incredible performances
and talented dancers that we have here at Paris Ballet.”
Tickets to all upcoming Paris Ballet performances at
the Kravis Center are currently on sale. For tickets and
more information, call the box office at (561) 832-7469
or visit Kravis.org.
Jupiter Beach Specialists About Paris Ballet And Dance
Paris Ballet and Dance was founded in 2010 by Jean-Hugues
Feray, a native of France and former principal dancer with
sold sold many international companies, including Ballet Florida and
National Ballet de Marseille. Located in Jupiter, Fla., the school
offers world-class dance training for students starting at age 3.
With a stellar reputation for quality, exceptional master classes
and top-notch training in ballet, jazz, tap and modern, the
school draws 100 students per year from as far as Vero Beach,
Lake Worth Beach and Wellington. The school is also home
to the prestigious not-for-profit Paris Ballet Conservatory, an
elite accelerated training program for students preparing for
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