NEWPEOPLE | McMeekan

Isabel McMeekan is a twenty-five years old British Classical ballerina. Isabel McMeekan has trained at Elmhurst Ballet School taught by tutor Mr. Michael Sloanes who realised she had great talent, though her parents were scepticle on her career choice. She was determined to pursue her passion, the passion she was dreaming since hildhood.

Isabel McMeekan attended the Royal Ballet Upper School in Birmingham for six years and then she was promoted to Soloist in 1999 and in 2003 she performed in “Swan Lake” at the Royal Ballet School. Isabel's figure is perfect for that role. She has danced leading roles in much of the Classical repertory including “Odette/Odile” and Fairy Godmother (Cinderella). Isabel is an

LIVING

IN ANOTHER

DIMENSION

by Camilla Pinto

extremely talented girl, she owns the perfect ballerina silhouette and expressivity. She herself admits that as much as she is passionate, being a ballerina is extremely tough. As soon as she has time, she likes getting pampered and relaxing because ballet requires high levels of skills, concentration, passion, rhythm and will. The body needs to be kept polished neat and clean. Isabel McMeekan’s ballerina career implies her to travel a lot and be available to interpret stage roles and rehearsals. Recently she has been to Montecarlo. Face to face with Isabel, she transmits liveliness, cleverness, ambition and passion. She is confident, professional and determined. She keeps updated with performances of other dancers. Isabel likes films a lot.

White tulle harness with purple dyed tails by Hamish Morrow. Cream long sleeves v- neckline rayon jersey embossed

t-shirt by Alberta Ferretti.

Embroidered jersey viscose white vest tutu by Versace. Cream thin fishnet mat pantyhose with lycra. Cotton sheer to waist gusset by Philippe Matignon and cotton white vintage loves.

Make up: L’Oreal. Prices on request, see Directory,

Model Cecilia Bragiotti.

She recently appreciated “Lost In Translation”. It probably happened to her to feel the same sensation as in the film. Clubbing is not among her preferred entertainment. For her dance is really an Art. When she can, she goes to bars and among her liking is “Cross Keys” in Covent Garden, London, where she has the chance to meet up with friends. Her other interests are books especially autobiographies. Music is the sound track of her life. Isabel McMeekan’s repertory also includes Van Manen’s ”Five Tangos” and “Grosse Fugue”.

She was promoted to First Soloist in 2003. When dancing, Isabel Mc Meekan feels like being in another dimension where it is reasonably difficult to reach her. Her body follows the rhythm of the music and then her mind and body become one unique item. She is a real star, far from the common world as it once was and as it most probably should be. For this reason it has been impossible for us to book a photographic session, because after our first meeting, our schedules never matched with an appropriate location. Everything was ready to shoot at Chritsies' in London, where I would and could portray her as an alive work of Art wearing a masterpiece which tomorrow could be sold at a costume auction. One can immagine her in this Hamish Morrow item worn by the model, Cecilia

Bragiotti (fourteen years old who dances Classical ballet as an amateur) here beside resembling the swan that Isabel is. As much as Isabel McMeekan dreamt of becoming a ballerina, many boys and girls nowadays dream to dance. All main European Capitals have a ballet School linked with the main theatre, such as "Opera" of Paris and "La Scala" in Milan, where Etoiles like Alessandra Ferri grew. In London, The Laban School (www.laban.org) could be a good approach. It is a new studio which offers stage and dance studios on rent for dancers passing by London who need a rehearsal place. The role of the ballerina is an Art and a discipline too that I myself regret of not having experimented, refusing the suggestions of my mother to take dance courses because even if one will not become a professional dancer, it gives a posture and attitude and self-control, very useful for life.The career of a dancer is a noble and courageous one. Infact if one sees the film "The Company" by Robert Altman, one understands well how a casual accident could affect one's career or give a chance to someone else. Isabel McMeekan's performances are indeed remarkable. The Art of the ballerina suits perfectly her personality. She is a real diva far from the common world as once it was and as probably is right to be.

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