REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Australian Embassy, Jakarta, in cooperation with Yayasan Bina Ballet Indonesia (Ballet.id), recently presented the 'Ballet Goes to Ciliwung,' a community development program intended for children in Ciliwung, Jakarta.

The dance workshop, held in Sanggar Ciliwung Merdeka over the weekend, was the first ballet coaching class to be held in Ciliwung, the Australian Embassy said on its official website on Monday.

Juliet Burnett, a prima ballerina with the Australian ballet, who is also the niece of well-known Indonesian poet and playwright W.S. Rendra, will lead the community program.

She will teach and share her experiences with children in Kampung Ciliwung and support the children, who want to be introduced to ballet dancing.

During her trip to Indonesia, Juliet Burnett also led the Ballet Master Class for children of Indonesian ballet institutions and performed at the First Indonesian Ballet Gala on August 22. The First Indonesian Ballet Gala performance presented an international ballet collaboration with Indonesia, Australia, Czech Republic and Korean professional dancers.

The children in Ciliwung have a strong interest in dance and art; they have been independently practicing traditional dance forms by using YouTube as a self-learning method. The 'Ballet Goes to Ciliwung' program will also award scholarships to talented children looking to attend ballet school, so that they can experience more structured and formal ballet studies.

The Australian Embassy, Jakarta is pleased to be involved in 'Ballet Goes to Ciliwung' in cooperation with students from the Indonesian Ballet Teachers Association and Ballet.id volunteers. Advocacy and Outreach Counselor, Alison Purnell, said 'Ballet Goes to Ciliwung' is expected to share dance experiences and skills with a younger generation and encourage children's interest in dance and art.

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