Teen ballet prodigy to perform on world stage in Vienna next month

Ashley Kaichen has studied and performed ballet for 10 years at Newmarket dance school. (Courtesy photo)

NEWMARKET - A New Hampshire student is on her way to Classical Ballet excellence.

Sixteen-year-old Ashley Kaichen, a preprofessional trainee at the Russian Ballet Academy in Newmarket, will debut at the prestigious European Ballet Grand Prix competition in February in Vienna, Austria. This competition draws dancers from all around the world.

Kaichen has portrayed a diverse array of characters throughout her 10 years at the academy, and this year she will mesmerize audiences by performing in "Flames of Paris" and "La Bayadere." These two technically challenging classical ballet variations were hand-selected by her coaches, S. Catherine Steward (owner of the Russian Ballet Academy) and Kostiantyn Zubach (Former Principal Dancer of the Classical Ballet Theatre of Ukraine in Kiev, Ukraine).

To shine at this competition, Kaichen has assiduously prepared by training six days a week over the past year, and her unwavering dedication, commitment, and passion for ballet has proved that, through hard work and determination, dreams can come true. As she embarks on this adventure, audiences the world over are witnessing a star being born.

Her journey from a studio in New Hampshire to a grand stage in Europe is an inspiration to all would-be and aspiring dancers.

The Russian Ballet Academy, where she trains, offers an eight-year preprofessional development program for children starting at age nine, along with a unique preparation program for children even younger.