Largest Ballet Class-world record set by The Oregon
Ballet Foundation
[April
21] UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, USA--Donning tutus and leotards,
565 dancers turned out at McArthur Court Sunday, breaking
the world record for the worlds largest ballet class.
The
Oregon Ballet Foundation
organized the event. Executive
Director Megan Murphy said ballerinas young and old came to
help put Oregon on the international stage.
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"They are dancers from all different dance groups
and organizations," said Murphy. "They're kids, families,
parents, friends. We wanted to just have a fun dance event
and provide a fun experience and break a record at the same
time."
The current world record was set on February
25, 2006 in Pretoria, South Africa with 551 participants.
Honorary Ballet Master and Eugene Mayor Kitty
Piercy led the class.
The price of admission was lowered from
$15 to $5 to increase participation, and the money raised
will be donated for a tuition-free boys' ballet class. The
class is part of an effort to increase male participation
in ballet classes.
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Aquene Amarys brought her 8-year-old daughter
Indigo Amarys to the event after seeing a poster. "We thought
that it would be cool to be a part of breaking a world record
and we had nothing planned for today, so it fit," Amarys said.
Amarys' daughter was introduced to ballet when she was five
years old and doesn't have much experience.
As for next year, Murphy stated that she
would like to see another organization head up the event as
it is a complex, time-consuming endeavor.
Photos: Taylor Schefstrom, KVAL