Edward Barnes began studying ballet at age 5 and has been dancing ever since. But until now, the 20-year-old had never danced in cowboy boots. And despite his years of experience with ballet, he'd never done a square dance.

That will change when the Pennsylvania Ballet presents its season's opening program Wednesday, Oct. 21. One of the featured pieces is Rodeo, a ballet by Agnes de Mille. Set to the spirited score by Aaron Copland, her ballet celebrates the American West, and cowboys are a major focus. (After Rodeo, de Mille went on to choreograph the hit musical Oklahoma!)

Barnes, an Art Museum area resident, will be one of eight cowboys on the stage of the Academy of Music, together with a wrangler, roper and cowgirl.

Among other challenges, the cowboys do a sideways gallop to represent horseback riding. "I found it really, really hard," said Barnes, who is accustomed to more classical ballet.

He and the other dancers-turned-cowboys will wear Western shirts and jeans, cowboy hats, bandanas and cowboy boots, which are quite a contrast to the ballet shoes usually worn.

Another section of Rodeo features an old-fashioned square dance. It involves four couples. Barnes' partner is Katelyn Prominski of Northern Liberties. "She's great to work with, and a lot of fun," he said.

The dancers will follow the directions of a caller, who will give them 15 different calls. "It's very fast, and you never stop as you follow the caller," said Barnes.

"The steps are simple, but it's an entirely different mind-set from classical ballet. I can't think: 'How would a ballet dancer do this?' I have to think 'How would a cowboy do it?'"

To help answer that, Barnes even watched several old Western movies. "I wanted to get a sense of cowboy mannerisms," he said.

Another section will present a Saturday night dance. This time, several couples do two waltzes. "It's nice social dancing, with lots of winding and unwinding," said Barnes.

In the ballet's exuberant finale, eight couples enjoy a rousing Saturday night hoedown. "It's very fast paced and spirited," said Barnes.

The whole experience of Rodeo has been both novel and enjoyable for the tall, trim dancer.

"When we first started learning it, I thought I'd hate it," he said. "It was so new, so different. It took me a week to start feeling comfortable. But the more we rehearsed, the more comfortable I felt. It's a chance to let loose, a breath of fresh air, and we're having a blast."

Rodeo is one of three pieces on the opening program. Another is At the Border, a world premiere by the Pennsylvania Ballet's own resident choreographer, Matthew Neenan. This is his 12th work created especially for the company.

Also on the program is George Balanchine's Theme and Variations, with a score by Tchaikovsky. Barnes will be dancing in this piece, too. He's in the final movement, the Polonaise. Besides the soloists, this section will include eight couples.

This time, there will be no cowboy boots or jeans. Instead, in this modern ballet with classic roots, Barnes will be in tights with a green velvet tunic - and ballet slippers.

And his feet will certainly keep busy. "It's a very brisk tempo, and we do lots of weaving in and out," Barnes said. "There's a lot of pattern work, and if you're not in the right place at the right time, you throw everyone off."

But this dancer, although new to the company, can surely handle the challenges. He was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and began studying ballet when he was 5. He went on to further training at Ballet New England in Portsmouth, N.H. Then came still more training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet while he was attending Carlisle High School.

After graduation, Barnes moved to Seattle to attend Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Here he landed roles in several major ballets with Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was also the recipient of several full scholarships.

While still training in Seattle, he sent out audition packets to a number of ballet companies, with resumes and videos of his performances. On this basis alone, in March 2008, Barnes was offered a position with Pennsylvania Ballet's second company, Ballet 11. This is a training ground for preprofessional dancers.

Barnes had seen only the Pennsylvania Ballet perform once, while still in high school in Carlisle. But that was enough. "I thought they were fantastic," he said.

Barnes was among seven dancers from all over the United States accepted into Ballet 11. They began in August 2008. These dancers give performances and lecture-demonstrations in area schools. Last year, they gave 18 performances. And they also attend rehearsals of the company dancers. "We learn the ballets, but we rarely get the chance to perform," said Barnes.

But just one month after he joined Ballet 11, a corps dancer was injured and Barnes was asked to step in. He did so well that he was again invited when dancers had injuries. In all, he performed in four ballets last season while still in the training company.

The dancers in Ballet 11 hope to move up the career ladder to the next step - apprentice with the full company. Only a select few are given that chance after just one year.

Barnes was one of them. In March, he was one of two dancers in Ballet 11 who were offered an apprenticeship. "I was very, very excited," said Barnes.

Next week's opening program marks his first time dancing as an apprentice with the company. He's now well on his way to becoming a full company member.

Although Barnes is the only dancer in his family, his relatives are enthusiastic fans. Last year, his parents, brother and two great aunts came to every one of his performances.

They will again be in the audience to see him dance in both Rodeo and Theme and Variations in the season's opening program next week. As always, he's eagerly looking forward to performing.

"I get really excited about being onstage," he said. "I very rarely feel nervous. I love performing for a different set of people each night. I have so much fun on the stage - It's the best part of my job." ¥¥

Going to the ballet

The Pennsylvania Ballet presents its opening program next week at the Academy of Music. Performances are Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 25.Tickets ($24 to $129) available online at paballet.org or at Kimmel Center box office or by phone at 215-893-1999.