Sophia’s dancing delight
A TALENTED eight-year-old girl has beaten thousands of others to win a place at a prestigious dance school in London.
Sophia Hannaford will, from September, take part in the Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate programme. The scheme runs at weekends and is open to just 100 scholars every year.
The young starlet from Wokingham beat 1,200 hopefuls for the place and was recommended for the role by her dance teacher, Melanie Dudman from the Allied Schools of Dance.
She started dancing with the school when she was three. Two years ago, Ms Dudman encouraged the youngster to join a special scholars class aiming at giving further tuition to the most talented dancers.
And Sophia has also taken part in a number of dance festivals, including the All England Dance Competition Regional Finals, where she won gold in the classical ballet solo section against the best 40 ballet dancers in her age group across the South of England.
She is now through to the All England Dance Competition National Finals in London.
She also won and qualified her Classical Greek solo for the National Finals and will be dancing at the Hackney Empire next month.
The talented youngster said: “When I found out I had won a place I felt really happy and excited.
“Ballet is my favourite type of dancing. Allied helped me with lessons and we practiced at home – a lot! We enjoyed the practice.
“I will be taking part at weekends and it will be demanding but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”