Seven international scholarships land Donald Thom a place at the world renowned Royal Ballet School in London, England
Donald Thom began his training at the Linda Jamieson School of Dance as a 3 year old in the Creative Movement Class. After his early years of training, he joined the Young Dancer Program studying ballet, jazz, and tap. He quickly progressed to the Children's Graded Program where he added Jazz Technique, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre to his courses of study. At age 13, he won the National Teen Title at the American Dance Awards in New York City. He won the same National Teen Title for a record, second time in 2008.
Now, at age 17, Donald has successfully completed his training in the Pre Professional Division and has passed all Ballet Grade Examinations from Primary to Advanced 2 with "DISTINCTION". In April 2009, he was granted the Royal Academy's coveted "Solo Seal Award" the final examination before embarking on a Professional Ballet Career.
At the Youth Of America Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in Chicago in 2008 and 2009, his solo performances of the male variations from the famous Classical Ballets, "Giselle" and "Esmerelda" earned him a position in the New York City Finals as one of the top 60 teen male ballet dancers from around the world. As a result, Donald received seven scholarship offers including: Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Orlando Ballet Apprenticeship Program, Washington Ballet, and the Harod Academy in the United States, Dresden Ballet in Germany, Zurich Ballet in Switzerland, and the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco.
His teachers, Ellen Andrews and Linda Jamieson prepared him to audition by DVD for the Royal Ballet School in London, England. Donald, one of 1000 applicants was encouraged when he was invited along with 78 other candidates to attend the Semi Final Audition in London, March 2009. He was even more excited to be one of five dancers invited to the Final Audition later that day. Upon his return to Ottawa, he learned that he had been selected as 1 of the 2 successful candidates and was offered a position in the Royal Ballet School's Upper Division where he will begin his studies in September, 2009.
Donald hopes to secure a professional contract with the Royal Ballet Company, considered to be one of the best in the world. Teachers, classmates, students and parents thank him for his dedication, hard work, and inspiration. We wish him every success.