When you’ve spent decades practicing and perfecting something as intricate as ballet, it’d be a shame to give it up.
And Peter and Shannon Parker didn’t, not entirely, anyway. They both took up ballet as children and continued honing their skills until they were able to join the ranks of major ballet companies around the world. Their paths merged at the U.K.-based Northern Ballet Theatre, where they became dance partners as well as partners in life.
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More than two decades later, the couple has a teen son and daughter in her early 20s. And even though they hung up their professional ballet slippers years ago, they continue their passion as teachers and choreographers.
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When they appeared on Britain’s Got Talent a couple years ago, Shannon called the international platform a “great opportunity for us to be able to come out here and showcase what we actually love, to be able to continue with that would just be incredible.â€
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And what a showcase it was! They chose the best song possible, Birdy’s 2013 hit song, “Wings,”to display their unique combination of power and grace. One moment they’re almost floating across the stage, the next, Peter lifts Shannon so effortlessly, she appears to weigh next to nothing.
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It’s amazing to watch as they continue through the routine, perfectly executing a series of dips, twirls and skips known only to the most skilled dancers. And Peter’s strength is on full display as he lifts his partner feet off the floor to his waist one moment, then high above his head the next, with Shannon posed in a swan dive …
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By the time the judges voted, it came as no surprise that they got unanimous approval to move ahead in the competition. In an interview afterward, Peter said they wanted “to show people our story.â€
We’ve got lots of ideas we want to share – especially with the production side of things. It’s very exciting and we’ve got our fingers crossed that we will be able to do that. We just want to make everyone to enjoy ballet.
Check out their stunning performance in the clip below, and don’t forget to share with another ballet lover today!
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