NORTH Ferriby ballet dancer Xander Parish takes up his six-month probationary contract with the Royal Ballet on August 25.

Before then, York dance enthusiasts can enjoy seeing 19-year-old Xander in action at the Yorkshire Ballet Seminar's Summer Gala Evening at the Grand Opera House, York, where he will share the spotlight with Wayne Sleep, Anita Harris, Bonnie Langford and Jason Connery on July 31 at 7.30pm.

Xander's invitation to participate in this sold-out gala came from former Royal Ballet principal ballerina Marguerite Porter, who is in her first season as director of the Yorkshire Ballet Seminar.

"I've been at the Royal Ballet School in London for more than seven years - I graduated last Saturday - but in the summer holidays I've done the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars for three years - this summer will be my fourth - and Marguerite has taught me there.

"Because she knows I'm joining the Royal Ballet this summer she asked me if I'd do the gala," he says.

"It'll be very exciting to meet all these stars and do a show with them.

"I'll be doing a solo, a very elegant, neo-classical piece choreographed by Christopher Hampson, which I did last year in competition in Athens, where I won the silver medal."

Now over 6ft tall, Xander knew he wanted to be a dancer from the moment he saw his younger sister, Demelza, dancing on stage. "She was already dancing at three and I saw her in one of her school shows and I turned to mum and asked why wasn't I allowed to do that? Seeing Demelza up there, I wanted to be up there," says Xander.

Now, with perfect symmetry, 17-year-old Demelza will be starting her contract with the Royal Ballet at the very same time as her brother.

Updated: 09:07 Friday, July 22, 2005