In the Kapiti Observer Today

Success for Salem

TALIA CARLISLE

  Splitting image: Paraparaumu's Salem Foxx, 12, has not let  Asperger's
Syndrome get in the way of his love for dancing.

Paraparaumu 12-year-old Salem Foxx has won a $5000 scholarship as he prepares to perform with the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

The youngster was asked to play a minor role in Cinderella, opening at Wellington's St James Theatre on August 3.

Salem performed with the RNZB in its production of Sleeping Beauty last year, and in The Nutcracker in 2010.

Dancing since he was a toddler, he started by copying his older brother Daemon, who was taking jazz and ballet lessons at the time.

His mother, Michelle Foxx, said it was hard to stop him from interrupting Daemon's classes.

"I had to [have] him strapped down in his pushchair because he just wanted to get up there and join in," she said.

Salem hopes to become a member of the RNZB and travel the world like his "pal" Sir Jon Trimmer, who he got to know while working in Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Variety supported 21 New Zealand children with $5000 scholarships this year, including artists, dancers and sports stars who are physically or financially challenged.

Salem has Asperger's syndrome, although he regularly achieves merit or distinction in his ballet exams.

He is also a science star and has completed National Certificate of Educational Achievement level one papers while being home-schooled by his mother. Salem enjoys reading and comic books, but his main passion is ballet.

"I just love to be on stage. I like the steps and I guess it just feels good."

- Kapiti Observer