Dancers in bid to raise cash for a dream opportunity in USA

A Dundee dancing duo are raising funds for a dream trip to the United States after being spotted by scouts at an event in London.

Christy Shepherd, 20, and Eden Gilbertson, 17, both members of Leisure & Culture Dundee’s elite training body, Urban Moves, were handed a spot in the Hollywood Summer Tour while taking part in the Move It dance convention in London.

The invitation-only programme will involve intensive elite classes in dancing styles such as hip-hop and is one of the most renowned in America.

The pair will also be mentored by top professionals who are actively working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.

Christy said the opportunity came out of the blue while in London and now she and Eden need to raise £4,000 each to cover the costs of the event and accommodation.

She said: “Neither of us expected to be handed this opportunity but it’s so exciting to be given the chance to go to Hollywood.

“After taking part in a dance at the event in London, some people came over and told me I had been selected to go; I was in shock.

“It’s my dream to become a dancer and it’s a huge chance to launch my career. It’s not something that I could ever have dreamt could happen. London was big enough but Hollywood will be so amazing.

“To be offered the chance to do something that you love without asking is just crazy.”

Currently in her second year at The Space, Dundee & Angus College’s Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, Christy says, though she knows it will be a challenge to raise the cash, she is determined to go.

“We had to fund raise to get to the event in London but that was a big group of us,” she said.

“This time it will just be the two of us so it will be much tougher and it is a lot of money.

“I am expecting to pay for flights myself but we will organise a few events soon on top of the online fundraiser so I’m hoping it will be enough.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/christy-shepherd.