Look who got an invitation (5 photos)

Local dancers were auditioning Tuesday for an invitation to a prestigious ballet summer camp, with a chance at being enrolled in a one-year program.

Liam Morrasut, age 13, was one of many dancers who auditioned in front of representatives from Canada’s National Ballet School, who were in the city seeking new talent.

The auditions were part of a national audition tour and were held at Studio Dance Arts.

“We’re such an isolated region, it’s nice that they come to these parts at least every other year just to check out the talent pool,” said Studio Dance Arts owner Richard Kim.

This was the first year Studio Dance Arts has hosted the tour.

“It is hard for kids and parents to go to Toronto so we go to every city we can in Canada to accommodate as many people as we can,” said National Ballet School teacher Martine Lamy, who was in the Sault scouting talent.

Morrasut has been dancing since he was four-years old and is currently dancing at the Elite Dance Force studio.

“I’m hoping to make a career out of it, but if it doesn’t go that way it will still give me benefits,” he said.

After his one-hour audition Morrasut was one of the dancers invited by the ballet school to attend their upcoming summer school in Toronto.

“We give them a one-hour audition, so we see many aspects of their dancing, not just a solo,” said Lamy.

The summer camp is itself an audition for the one-year program with Canada’s National Ballet School.

Alexander Gorbatsevich, national audition tour director, said they never know where they will find talent, even in small cities such as Sault Ste. Marie.

“It’s a package. Of course you need to have suitable body and enjoy dancing,” he said.

Kim said many dancers from his studio have been invited to the summer camp in the past and some have even made it to the full year program.

The tour continues to Ottawa and Montreal.

(PHOTO: Alexander Gorbatsevich, national audition tour manager for Canada's National Ballet School, watches as a dancer auditions November 18, 2014 at Studio Dance Arts in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)