Ten budding ballet students from Swansea Elementary School will have a chance Sunday, August 11 to attend the Vail International Dance Festival and a performance by the Maskoff Russian Folk Dancers.

The Vail Valley Foundation is underwriting the trip and a backstage visit is being arranged so the students can meet these world-class dancers in person.

“This will be a terrific opportunity to see some extremely talented dancers. It’s not often that students from this neighborhood are provided with such an opportunity,” said Esther Smith, the Swansea ballet instructor who started the extremely popular after-school program. “These students have taken to ballet and dance enthusiastically and this will show them their new art at the top of its form.”

The Colorado Ballet backs the Swansea program. Last year, 41 students signed up for the classes.

The group plans to leave from Swansea Elementary School on Sunday, August 11 at 10 a.m. The performance in Vail begins at 1:30 p.m.

Swansea is located at 4650 Columbine Street.