'Ballet is not just tutus and tiaras'

When you think of the world of ballet, the image of a dancer in a tutu and tiara, standing en pointe might come to mind.

For world-renowned dancer Melissa Hamilton, who is returning to her home stage in Belfast, it is so much more.

The 35-year-old ballerina from Dromore in County Down is a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet in London.

At the weekend she returned to Northern Ireland to perform a special Ballet Gala at the Grand Opera house in Belfast, in what she calls a "dream come true".

"To be able to come full circle and bring so many esteemed colleagues and friends to my home stage in the Grand Opera House is something I could never have imagined," she said.

"It's so special."

As part of the production in Belfast, Hamilton was joined by her fellow Royal Ballet dancers, as well as the English National Ballet, Vienna State Ballet, the New English Ballet Theatre and Ballet Ireland.

"To be able to bring world-class ballet to Belfast is just incredible," she told BBC News NI.

The showcase included excerpts from ballet classics such as The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, among others.

However, modern contemporary works also featured, including a commissioned world premiere collaboration between Melissa, New English Ballet Theatre and Northern Ireland Opera, with soprano Mary McCabe.

Although Hamilton graces stages all over the world, she said a home audience is "super special".

"To have my family in the audience, as well as local talent and future generations of dancers, is just incredible," she said.

She added ballet is more that just "tutus and tiaras" and can be enjoyed by everyone.

"Nowadays ballet is so multifaceted, it's an art form that can evolve.

"Yes we do the classics, but contemporary pieces like what we do in this showcase prove that ballet can be appreciated by everyone."

Hamilton began taking ballet lessons aged four but, unlike many dancers who undertake full-time training from a young age, she did not begin vocational ballet training until the age of 16.

She won a scholarship at the Elmhurst School for Dance then made the decision to move to Greece to train privately.

In 2007, she won the Youth American Grand Prix and that year entered The Royal Ballet, becoming a First Soloist with the company in 2013.

As part of her time in her home city, Hamilton also taught a masterclass to young aspiring dancers, where she hoped would be motivational to the students as well as receiving practical tips.

"Follow your dreams and remember that anything is possible, remember that I was a student just like them at their age," she said.

"I had never stepped on stage before, I never had any experience of being able to be on the Grand Opera House stage whenever I was in my teens."

The performance at the Grand Opera House is produced by Hamilton Christou Productions, a company set up by Melissa and her husband, property developer Michael Christou.

This will be the company’s first UK performance.

Hamilton first performed on the Grand Opera House stage in 2019, and is hoping her homecoming show will be well received.

"I just hope people can go away and be really inspired and moved by the performances," she said.