Pinoy ballet group conquers Beijing

Effie Nañas Ballet (ENB), one of the country’s finest ballet institutions, recently concluded a two-week study tour at the Beijing Dance Academy, home of China’s best ballet artists. ENB is the first and only Philippine Ballet Academy so far to have been granted the privilege to experience excellent private lessons from some of the best ballet teachers in China.

The 10-student delegation underwent special training, class observations and witnessed a command performance of the National Ballet of China.

The select group wowed the audience after a much applauded performance of their stylized Filipino dances during their courtesy call at the Philippine Embassy. Francisco Benedicto, Philippine Ambassador to China, hosted a dinner for the visiting Filipino ballet ensemble.

ENB had a successful series of performances and study tour in New York and Washington DC in time for the Philippine Independence Celebration in the US in June 2009. They reaped outstanding reviews and gained enthusiastic appreciation from Filipino and American audiences. This year, they have been invited again to the US for a series of performances as part of RP’s independence rites.