Hundreds of young dancers have over the years benefited from the experience of performing before ever growing audiences, in excess of 4,000 for "Giselle and The Mousehole Cat". Since its inception the Duchy Ballet has introduced some of the major classical ballets to an audience that has had few opportunities to experience the visual beauty of a carefully crafted production usually accompanied by a live orchestra. The company has also created new works: Peter and the Wolf; Stepping out to Gershwin; The Snow Queen and, most notably, The Mousehole Cat which is inspired by an enchanting Cornish folk tale written by Antonia Barber and for which the score was specially commissioned from Ian Hughes. The 2010 performances included the Cornish legend of The Mermaid of Zennor, choreographed by Lucy Graham and with a score written by local conductor David Frost. The company has, and will continue to be, a springboard for Cornwall's young dancers in the early stages of their dancing careers. Success to date has seen members of the company secure places at London Studio Centre, Laine Theatre Arts, London Contemporary Dance, The Urdang Academy, the Royal Ballet School and Dance College of Cornwall. We do one production a year which is performed over 4 shows at the Hall for Cornwall every March or April. Auditions usually take place in September and rehearsals are at Poltair School in St Austell. The cast for the 2011 production of The Nutcracker is drawn from 21 different ballet schools throughout Cornwall and beyond and we believe this diversity and bringing together of dancers is hugely beneficial to all concerned. The Duchy Ballet is non-profit making, and receives no grant assistance, relying solely on its audience and sponsorship to meet the costs of its productions. Anyone interested in sponsoring the company would be welcomed with open arms. There is, however, an army of volunteers making costumes and sets, helping with publicity, fundraising and advertising, and helping backstage during performances, without whom, the productions could not be staged.