Melrose resident and principal dancer Shannon Glover is ready for her new role
MELROSE – Shannon Glover, principal dancer and choreographer of Joburg Ballet is preparing for her most exciting role yet - as a mom.
Joburg Ballet principal dancer and Melrose resident Shannon Glover has starred in many leading roles.
Now, she is preparing for what will be her most beautiful, important role yet – that of mother.
Glover has been dancing with the ballet company since 2004. Community ballet lovers who have followed her career will be thrilled with the news that she is expecting the birth of her first child, a daughter Ava, in November, and that she will continue to be involved with the company.
Speaking to the Gazette she said, “Myself and Philip (husband) have always wanted a family of our own.”
The talented dancer has continued to be active during her pregnancy: “I continued dancing and performing on stage during my first trimester and thereafter stopped performing but continued doing company classes. I’m naturally a very active person so keeping fit is just something I like to do. The occasional climb up the Westcliff Stairs; and yoga, pilates, and company ballet classes have been very important to maintain my technique.”
She said of the experience of being pregnant as a ballerina: “I think being pregnant is an emotional rollercoaster for any woman. I find as a dancer, watching your body change as your little human starts to grow can be difficult, however, at the same time, a very beautiful experience.”
Glover started dancing at the tender age of four, and at 18 she joined the Graduate Programme of the South African Ballet Theatre (now Joburg Ballet) and was subsequently taken into the company. Her exquisite artistry and technical prowess led to her promotion to principal dancer in 2011. She has since made her mark in leading roles in well-known ballets, Romeo and Juliet being her personal favourite. She has also excelled at choreography.
On her return in the new year, she and the company will begin work on the production Evolve, which she has choreographed.
“I definitely plan on returning back to dancing soon next year,” said Glover. “I miss it so much, especially being on stage.” One of the things she is most looking forward to is holding her little girl for the first time.
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