A HARDWORKING teen says she is excited to begin the next step towards her dancing dreams.

Anna-May Dixon, who attends Kirkbie Kendal School, has been offered a place to train with Staffordshire Youth Ballet after impressing in a 90 minute audition - online via Zoom.

“I’m looking forward to working with the different people, it’s exciting,” said Anna-May.

Resident director Nicky Henshall, through her associate programme, selects an elite group of students for pre-vocational training with the aim to provide a tailor made programme over twelve months.

Anna-May will have the chance to train with the ballet star, who began her career at the Royal Ballet School White Lodge and danced with the English National Ballet.

Anna-May will attend a once monthly lesson, covering areas such as strength and conditioning and pointe work.

The 14-year-old has been dance obsessed for most of her life, beginning her training at Rigney Bank Ballet School with Miss Jayne in Milnthorpe, when she was three.

Miss Jayne has been a constant support to Anna-May and encouraged her to look for places where she could do extra training.

"She has been her main teacher for many years and we are very grateful for all she does and the support she offers Anna-May," said Anna-May’s mum Rebecca Julian-Dixon.

“It’s brilliant to have the opportunity to work with other teachers, especially Nicky, she’s got a lot of experience to offer.

“We’ve already had an email from her saying she can’t wait to work with Anna-May.”

Dedicated to her art Anna-May has kept busy during lockdown, taking several lessons a week with Rigney Bank as well as additional video learning with From The Top Dance in Kendal.

“She’s been doing six lessons a week and that’s continued during lockdown online,” said Mrs Dixon.

Anna-May has also been choreographing her own routines and uploading them onto social media for friends and family to enjoy.

“We’re very proud of her, she works so hard,” said Mrs Dixon. “Every day she gets up and she’s immediately dancing or researching.”

“In the future I would like to work in dance, either as a performer or teacher,” said Anna-May.