Irvine resident Mia Frederick, a 16-year-old ballerina from the Southland Ballet Academy, stands poised for greatness. The young prodigy placed second in senior classical and Top 12 in contemporary at last year’s Youth American Grand Prix Regionals. This month, she joins world-renowned guest artists Liudmila Konovalova of Wiener Staatsballett and Vsevolod Maievskyi of English National Ballet to perform in Festival Ballet Theatre’s “The Sleeping Beauty” at Irvine Barclay Theatre.
The full-length production, featuring Tchaikovsky’s original score, takes the stage for two performances April 12 and 13. Frederick will dance two major roles – the Fairy of Generosity (or pink fairy) and the White Cat (who appears with Puss in Boots in Act III) – which she describes as a “fun challenge.”
No stranger to the stage, Frederick has danced in “The Nutcracker” more than once – cast as Clara, the Dewdrop Fairy and an Arabian princess – and as Coppélia in the 1870 comic ballet of the same name last year. But her role as the White Cat, she says, requires unique skills.
“The White Cat’s role is more stylized than technical ballet,” Frederick says. “I have to incorporate a bit of acting to embody the cat.”
Frederick began dancing at age 3. Today she devotes up to 30 hours each week to practice, with an eye toward a career in dance. Her hope is to join a company in Europe with an emphasis in both classical and contemporary ballet.
Her likelihood of success seems high. In February, Frederick was one of 13 Irvine teens to advance to the semifinals of The Music Center’s 37th annual Spotlight program in Los Angeles. The nationally acclaimed performing arts competition attracted more than 1,600 teens, representing 269 schools, 174 cities and eight counties.
Ballet is known for the level of focus, perseverance and ability to overcome physical challenges required to succeed. Where does that level of dedication come from at such a young age, and what advice does Frederick give to other young women eager to pursue this path?
“Remember why you started and the joy ballet gives you,” Frederick says. “Otherwise it can feel repetitive, and it’s hard on your body. But when we perform and see the audience’s response, it can be pretty rewarding.”
Frederick also encourages dancers to show up to class ready to learn. “Being able to see progress as you’re working toward something is rewarding,” she says. “You will never be perfect, but you can always work toward perfection.”
THE DETAILS
What: Festival Ballet Theatre’s “The Sleeping Beauty”
When: 7 p.m. April 12 and 13
Where: Irvine Barclay Theatre
More info: thebarclay.org
