World Ballet Day.

I've loved ballet, ever since I was a little girl.

I wanted to go to classes but my parents just couldn't afford it.

I saw my first live performance at the age of 8.  It was Coppelia, and a friend of my mother's offered to take me.  I loved it.  And that Christmas she took me again, to see The Nutcracker.

These two ballets still remain my favourites even too this day.

I no longer have the programme for Coppelia, but I still do have the insert cast list.  Luckily, I still have the whole programme for the Nutcracker.

I eventually did go to ballet lessons at the age of 11.  Another friend of my mother's taught classes in a hall above an old laundry.

I did so well, she recommended I should go to ballet school.  Which I did when I was 13.  My mother had a full-time job by then so I guess that's how she afforded the fees.