Fulham Dancers to Perform in English Youth Ballet's Giselle
Trio win places after competitive national auditions
Millie Harrington, Caterina de Naurois, Alexia de Naurois
August 3, 2026
Three exceptionally talented young dancers from Fulham — Catarina de Naurois (11), Alexia de Naurois (15) and Millie Harrington (12) — have secured places in the prestigious English Youth Ballet (EYB) production of Giselle, joining an elite cast of 100 dancers after highly competitive national auditions.
Their success places them among the most promising young performers in the country. Catarina and Alexia train at First Steps Academy of Dance, while Millie trains at Moone School of Ballet, and all three will now embark on an intensive rehearsal period that mirrors the life of a professional dancer. Under EYB’s renowned training model, the young cast will refine technique, build performance skills and prepare for two unforgettable performances at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, running 28–29 August.
For Alexia, who began ballet at the age of three, the opportunity is deeply personal. “I’ve developed a deep passion for it ever since,” she said. “When I dance, I feel like I’m part of another world… I forget about everything that needs to be done and let go of my anxieties. Ballet allows me to express my emotions through movement and with music. Taking part with the EYB will be an amazing opportunity for me to improve my technique and to meet more talented dancers. I am looking forward to feeling the burst of adrenaline before stepping on stage alongside other passionate dancers.”
All three dancers will perform alongside EYB’s internationally acclaimed principals, including Olivia Richards and Joshua Webb, both of whom will coach the young cast.
EYB Principal Olivia Richards, who will star as Giselle, knows exactly what this experience means for young dancers. “I was lucky to be able to dance with EYB in Cardiff when I was a young dancer,” she said. “The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet. I love now working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance challenging and iconic roles and I also teach the young dancers and see them progress. The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers (and the audiences) will never forget!”
Richards and Webb will mentor the Fulham trio throughout rehearsals, helping them prepare for the demanding choreography and emotional depth of Giselle, one of ballet’s most iconic works.
The achievement is a significant milestone not only for the dancers but also for their schools, families and the wider Fulham community. EYB auditions attract hundreds of young performers from across the UK, and earning a place is widely recognised as a mark of exceptional promise.
The production will bring together dancers aged 8–18 from diverse backgrounds, all united by their dedication to ballet. For Catarina, Alexia and Millie, it marks the beginning of a thrilling journey — one that will see them step onto a professional stage, perform alongside leading artists, and experience the full magic of a major ballet production.
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