I REMEMBER... Julie Felix

Forced to leave England for New York when the English National Ballet told her that her skin was not right for the stage, ballet legend Julie Felix went on to lead a new world of Black excellence in dance. Here, she reflects on the many steps her life has taken her in...

- Valentina Valentini

...GOING TO THE LOCAL PARK IN EALING. The swings were my favourite, because I could get myself as high up in the sky as possible. I would jump about the house because it gave me the same feeling. My mum said, "What are we going to do to stop you from jumping around all over the place?". There was a ballet school around the corner, and when she asked if I wanted to have lessons, I said, "Oh, yes, please!"

...I WAS 11 WHEN MY MUM REALISED HOW SERIOUS I WAS ABOUT DANCING. Growing up, my mum showed great talent as a mezzo-soprano opera singer. Her parents wouldn't let her pursue her dreams and neither did my father, unfortunately. It was such a shame, but she put all her effort and love of performing into my joy and love of ballet. She was never pushy though.

...SEEING MY FIRST LIVE PERFORMANCE. My mum took me to see Madama Butterfly at The Royal Opera House-her favourite. We could only afford the cheapest tickets. Sitting up in "the gods", we looked down on the stage and she whispered, "Julie, if you continue to work really hard and put all your passion and love into ballet, then one day, you could be on that stage."

...LOVING JULIE ANDREWS. Even though she was a musical theatre star, I thought she was incredible. So, when I was almost 16, I investigated where she went to school for her training. She had attended London's Arts Educational School-quite a few famous people have gone there. I applied and auditioned-I even had the audacity to sing "My Favourite Things" as part of it! I danced too, of course, and I was offered a place. When the school fees came in the post, I knew there was absolutely no way we could afford it. I gained so much courage and strength and determination, though-I was not going to let anything deter me. I knew that I could do this. So, I carried on and upped everything, doing higher level ballet exams and festivals.