What comes to mind when you think of ballet? Many of us might envision a group of beautiful women dancing, complete with graceful, feminine movements, tutus and, of course, lots of pink.
But Lemuel Ma and Wesley Matsuharu Lai, two teen dancers in the Hong Kong Ballet’s Classical Training Programme, know that boys also have a place in ballet.
Lemuel and Wesley, both 14, are the only male dancers in the Level Seven class, where they practise upwards of seven hours a week. Just being accepted into the elite training programme proves their hard work and talent.
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Breaking stereotypes
Lemuel started ballet around the age of four after seeing his sister try it, while Wesley was only two years old when he began his ballet journey. Ballet has long been an integral part of their lives, and both boys said they have been teased about it.
“I told people I did ballet ... and I remember hearing [them] laugh,” Lemuel recalled.
Wesley added, “I told my classmates I do ballet, and they thought [it was] weak. They believe it’s not for guys and only for girls, so they were very confused.”
The boys’ dance teacher, Irene Lo, admitted that there weren’t many male dancers in their programmes and that “We are very happy to see some boys”.
The 47-year-old former professional ballerina explained that the Hong Kong Ballet has outreach performances and events at schools, where they “usually bring a male dancer [to] let them know that ... boys can also dance”.
Lemuel said one reason he wanted to join the Hong Kong Ballet’s Classical Training Programme was that it has a boys-only class.
“My family had been searching for a ballet class only for boys. And this programme provided that, which is rare for ballet schools or programmes in Hong Kong,” he said. He still takes the boys-only class in addition to the mixed-gender Level Seven.
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The classical training programme is still fairly new, having been launched in September 2021.
“We’re developing it because Hong Kong does not have a youth company,” Lo explained. “We want to develop [and cater to] even pre-professionals. Eventually, we’ll have a youth programme and a second Hong Kong Ballet [dance troupe] ... But we wanted to do something for local schools and local kids, and we want to have more local [dancers] that [we] can put into the Hong Kong Ballet.”
Lessons from dance
Dancers must audition for the programme, and the ballerinas in the Level Seven class dedicate much of their free time to perfecting the craft.
“We’re really busy. Sometimes, we do not have time to hang out with our school friends,” said 15-year-old Elizabeth Liu Tsz-hang.
However, it’s all worth it in the end. “We really love it. I cannot imagine not doing ballet,” she said.
The young dancers have been able to participate in shows such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and their annual year-end performances. The experience has helped them learn to navigate the rewarding and difficult parts of ballet, such as competing against their peers in the class, as well as students in other levels of the programme, for parts.
“Seeing people get the role [you wanted] ... we have trust in the people who appoint the roles,” explained Li Cheuk-lam, 15. “Even if at first you’re like, ‘Oh, I kind of wanted that [role]’ ... Afterwards, you see them doing it, and you’re like, ‘Yeah, that makes more sense.’”
Lemuel and Wesley’s time in the programme has helped them grow, and not just in ballet; Wesley has showcased his skills at school performances, while Lemuel said he has become more confident in his passion despite being teased as a child.
“Over time, I think I just got used to it,” he said. “And I learned not to care because it does not matter what [others] think. Just do your own thing. If you really love what you do ... just be yourself and keep going.”
Wesley agreed, adding, “Never listen to those negative comments.”
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