Christian Peregin
Determined dancer finally gets his lucky break
A young performer has less than a week to find sponsorships and funding to go to the UK and realise his dream after he was noticed by a top musical theatre college that offered him a three-year scholarship.
Nathaniel Ellul, who turns 19 this week, grew up without a father and was raised by his unemployed mother who lives off social benefits. When he was younger he was bullied for being half-cast and, on one occasion, he even remembers his school friends throwing stones at him.
"But I don't want to look at the past, except for the good memories. The important thing is the future. I now know that beautiful things happen. I want to make everyone proud of me," he says with a beaming smile that disguises all the hurt he went through as a child.
Being a male dancer in a society, which still sees dancing as something for girls, he has also had to cope with various taunts from his peers but this never chipped away at his determination.
"Dancing is my life. If I'm sad or I feel like crying, I dance. I can't imagine my life without music. This is my way of venting."
His only difficulty was finding enough money to pay for his classes, so he has spent the last few years of his life working hard as an animator to pay for singing, acting and dancing lessons that his mother could not afford.
In order to prepare himself for what he always believed was the inevitable, he recently decided to start living alone, so he has spent a large portion of his measly income on rent.
Nat, as his friends call him, currently trains hairdressing at Mcast, but he now has to give it up to follow his real dream: to become a famous performer and take part in musicals such as the Lion King on the West-End and beyond.
He was noticed some time ago when an international jazz examiner came to his dance school, Incite Motion, for a workshop. Even though he was sick on the day, he pushed himself to give his best and his enthusiasm and talent were appreciated. The examiner encouraged him to audition to Bird College but due to financial constraints he missed the auditions. He then managed to persuade the school to accept a late application by DVD and a few days ago he got the call that he had been working his whole life for: he got the scholarship.
His only regret is that he has to leave his mother alone after she has always been so supportive of his career.
"I get my love for music from my mother. When she was pregnant she would put headphones on her belly for me."
Despite winning a scholarship, Mr Ellul still needs to raise thousands of pounds for accommodation and fees throughout his three years, hence his search for sponsors. The semester starts today but, since he was accepted so late, he is missing orientation week to sort everything out, including flights and accommodation.
"I don't know how I'm going to do it. All I know is that I'm going. It seems crazy I know but it's in front of me, it's an opportunity and I'm going to take it," he says full of enthusiasm.
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Claire Aquilina
Sep 15th 2009, 21:02
I'm so very happy for you!!!! You can make it!!!Go for it...You will always have our support...and we will surely miss you..
elvia leone ganado
Sep 15th 2009, 18:59
Nat, I am so happy for you. I always told you that you will make it one day. Wish you all the very best and make it most of it, it is not very often that a dream comes true. I know how hard you have worked for it and you deserve it. I can't tell you how pleased I am that your dream has been realised and I am sure you will follow it to the end.
D Vella
Sep 15th 2009, 15:13
Go for it Nathaniel,and don't let anybody, or anything bring you down
James Licari
Sep 15th 2009, 12:39
We always knew that you will reach this dream and we now know you will be aiming for an even bigger, more ambitious dream. Step by step you are performing the road of life. I am sure your mum, teachers, friends, and also you dance students as well as the kids you animate for; are all so proud of knowing you but even more of having followed your developments and budding talents. Nat promise all, that you will always keep a link to you country, where ever your road will take you but especially with us friends who are really going to miss you. We miss you not because we wish you do not leave but because we would love to be near you as you develop these talents even more. The performing work can be overwhelming but try to always keep focused and well grounded in your true values. Break a leg! Will miss you!
David Grima
Sep 15th 2009, 11:45
Wow, what an incredible story. If this guy makes a name for himself then the whole Malta would shine and say look another local who has made his home country proud.... But the question is here ' Is Malta investing in such a talent' or do we just make collections for all sorts of charities and thats it! No offence, but we need people such as this person, and I not only and truly wish this guy success but much more!
Perhaps a social fund should be made up so as to encourage such talented people, which would offer financial support.
This person needs accomodation in London, are there no Maltese people or Maltese related people who can offer accomodation etc...
I hope that this persons plea for assistance does not fall on deaf ears !
Nigel Lawrence
Sep 15th 2009, 11:32
Go for it Nat. Show the bullies who REALLY comes out on top.
Astrid Gollcher
Sep 15th 2009, 11:31
WELL DONE NATH!!...im SOOOOO proud of you!!!
your hard work in class throughout these years has paid off.... and your determination this year has helped you even further!...
we will all miss you at iNCITE MOTION..... but you've made us all sooooo proud!
GO GET YOU DREAM NATH.... im counting on you!!!...
remember what i told you last time.... you never stop learning!
ENJOY IT...
loads of hugs
Ray Mangion
Sep 15th 2009, 11:16
Your love and determination has rewarded you. Make sure that you take this opportunity to make your mother and us Maltese proud. I had a difficult and very poor childhood too, but at 18 I decided to leave Malta and persue my career in the UK. No money, no clothes and no scholarships, but my determination and focus on becoming a performer got me there with over 20 West End musicals, film and television on my CV. Some advice: England is very expensive; use time management to plan you life while you are studying. Find a part-time evening job, in theatre, if possible and use your money wisely. Bird College is one of the best training colleges in the UK and through them you will get a good agent and hey presto. Good luck and I hope to come and see you in one of the West End Shows in future.
Eric Gahn
Sep 15th 2009, 09:27
His school friends threw stones at him. WOW!
Mariella Axisa
Sep 15th 2009, 09:26
We wish you all the best of luck for the future Nathaniel. You have suffered hardships but still worked hard to follow your dream. May all your dreams come true. Work hard and persevere and I'm sure you'll make it. Keep in touch, take care and good luck