A leading British ballet dancer from the Royal Ballet is heading to Ladner to share her knowledge and love of dance with ballet students nine-years-old and above.

Laura Morera, principal ballerina of the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, London, UK, will join Justin Meissner, a former Royal Ballet dancer and director of Dance Tours International, for four days of ballet master classes for dance students next month at Free Flight Dance in Ladner.

"Having them come to Ladner, B.C., is a huge coup, I think," said Julie Brash, owner of Free Flight.

Meissner said he was thrilled to be coming to Canada for the first time ever with Morera.

"There is an incredible amount of talent in Canada and it is vital that all young dancers have the opportunity to learn and be inspired by first-class guest teachers such as Laura," he said. "Laura is a valued and very experienced dancer for the Royal Ballet and as a teacher at the Royal Ballet School in London.

"She is a dynamic and inspirational teacher and is in demand internationally for her knowledge and commitment to dance and young people in the world of dance."

Morera has been a principal dancer for the past five years and has danced major works for the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, throughout the world.

Meissner, who trained at the Royal Ballet, is a gold medalist at the prestigious Adeline Genée and Prix de Lausanne competitions. He knows the value of good training and master classes like those his organization offers throughout the world.

"Having attended similar dance programs as a young dancer, which led directly to my acceptance into the Royal Ballet School and ultimately the Royal Ballet, I wanted to provide auditions and master classes that reflected this experience that would educate and inspire young dancers to want to learn," he said.

The dance workshops will be an opportunity for local dance students to learn classical ballet in the distinctive English style along with repertoire and mime from famous ballets, and some unique choreography from the Royal Ballet repertoire.

The workshops will be held from Jan. 5 to 8 at Free Flight Dance, 4942 Chisholm St. The studio can be reached at 6049468586.

For more information, e-mail: Canada@ dancetoursinternational.com or visit www. dancetoursinternational.com.