Film/Stage

Sarah Kaur Kundi: Sikh-Briton Ballerina

THE GUARDIAN, et al

Born in London, Sarah Surinder Kaur Kundi graduated from the Central School of Ballet in 2004.

She joined Northern Ballet Theatre for four years, appearing in many of David Nixon's productions. She became a member of Ballet Black in November 2008, dancing a variety of roles in ballets commissioned by the company.

Polished and confident, she was notable as the lead dancer in Will Tuckett's "Depouillement" and in Martin Lawrance's duet "Pendulum".  

Sarah describes her journey in The Guardian thus: 

"You don't see many Indian girls doing ballet, maybe because it can be quite revealing - we show our legs and bodies. But my parents and teachers have been very supportive.

"I was born in London and started ballet when I was six. I feel a real freedom on stage. It doesn't matter what's going on in your personal life, you can just go on and dance, live in the moment. Hearing the applause, I feel such gratitude that I made it as a dancer. I know a lot of people who quit after ballet school; they were just as dedicated as I am but couldn't get jobs.

At 16, I had just started at the Central School of Ballet when I had a growth spurt. That was hard for me. I'm quite shy and didn't go out much; I'd stay behind after school and stretch. There was one mixed-race girl, but she left after the second year, so I was the only non-white student.

I'm one of a [very few] Sikh-British dancers. I'd like to show young girls you can be [Sikh] and a ballet dancer.

Seven years ago, Sarah penned the following to explain her passion:

I'm Sarah Surinder Kaur Kundi, 18 years old and from London. I am half way through the first term of my third year at Central School of Ballet and I am a member of Ballet Central 2004. I have been dancing for the last twelve years of my life and look forward to the exciting and demanding final year at Central - I can't wait!

So, what has my journey been like up until now? Pretty easy compared to what I'm about to embark upon, I expect! At the age of six, I experienced my first ever ballet lesson with my sister. I took to it straight away and with that went on to win lots of medals at festivals and performed in school shows.

By the age of eleven, I realised that Ballet was something that I really wanted to do and so whilst at High School, I trained at the West London School of Dance with Anna du Boisson. It was hard for me to juggle school work and classes in the evening, but I coped ... (and looking back, I don't know how!) The year before joining Central, I attended Saturday classes at London Junior Ballet and I was a Senior Associate at the Royal Ballet School.

Before and during my time at Central, I have participated in many competitions. When I was 12 and 16 I was an All England medallist and I was a finalist at the Molly Lake Award in 1999 and once again in 2002.

I ventured on my professional training at Central two years ago and I then realised that my dream of becoming a professional ballerina was nearing reality!

This summer, I attended Northern Ballet Theatre and Birmingham Royal Ballet's Summer Schools and I have also gained valuable performing experience at Central School of Ballet performances in 2002 and 2003, the Philip Lawrence Awards in 2002 and Design for Dance in 2003.

In September I qualified for the Bloch Genée Award (hosted by Birmingham Royal Ballet) by passing my RAD Advanced II with Distinction. I will take forth the experience I gained there into my professional career and the friendships made, I will keep in my heart for ever...

Goodbye for now and I'm really happy to be sharing the most exciting part of my life with you!

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