My dance journey began like many others, attending classes at a young age but it soon became an integral part of my life. I started my dance training at the age of 4 with Yvonne Johnstone (Johnstone Academy of Dance) where I successfully represented the school in numerous competitions and championships throughout the UK. I competed in various dance genres: Tap, Ballet, Modern, Character Ballet, Greek, National and Song & Dance. I also competed in Highland dancing with Sandra Lees School of dance.
I was a shy anxious child, and later diagnosed with Dyslexia. Dance boosted my confidence giving me a platform to express my emotions freely through movement instead of words.
The defining moment that influenced my dream of performing ballet professionally in the future was being accepted onto the Scottish Ballet Junior Associates program and being selected to perform in the company’s production of Peter Darrell’s ‘The Nutcracker’ in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle. Touring and performing on stage with the company for multiple performances in a variety of theatres as a party girl/rat is something I shall always cherish. I gained extensive experience adapting to new environments, being introduced to class on stage, behind the scenes preparation, long rehearsals and costume fittings.
I later successfully auditioned onto the Senior Associate programme from 2022-2024 where I attended weekly Saturday classes where we focus on ballet and contemporary training, choreography, strength and stamina. We were also very privileged to be taught on occasions by Scottish Ballet company members, which is both informative and inspiring. I was also a member of the S-MB Company monthly associates programme since 2020, a classical ballet training program delivered by Sara-Maria Barton.
At age 11, I successfully auditioned for full time vocational training at The Dance School of Scotland where I have been training for the last 5 years. At DSS we integrate several hours of dance with academic classes during an extended school day. Juggling academic studies and dance commitments can be both mentally and physically challenging at times, however this taught me the ability to cope under pressure and appreciate the rewards that hard work and commitment provide. During my time at the Dance School I achieved a high distinction in RAD Advanced 1 Ballet and distinctions in both ISTD Advanced 1 Modern and ISTD intermediate Tap.
One of the highlights of my time at DSS was the annual showcase at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, working with professional stage and lighting crew and performing in front of a large audience. Although we have an intense rehearsal schedule on the run up and during the performance week, the exhilarating feeling and sense of achievement gained during a performance makes all the hard work worthwhile.
I am absolutely delighted to be continuing my dance training at Central School of Ballet in London, which I believe is a step closer to my ultimate goal of a career performing and choreographing. This degree course offers the opportunity to build on current technical skills whilst learning new techniques such as Spanish dance, especially through a high level of contact hours. I know training with Central Ballet School will prepare me for life as a professional dancer and help me reach my full potential to be the very best I can be.