Hannah dancing for joy!

Hannah (16), of the town’s Blair Place, will begin her studies on the BA Modern Ballet course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next month after being chosen as one of just 12 pupils who applied from all over the UK and overseas to join the coveted programme.

And Hannah is hoping the move will be the first step on the way to realising her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

“I had to do two separate auditions, one in January and another in February. When I got the message that I had been accepted I just ran down the stairs whooping with joy,” she told the Press.

Hannah started dancing at the Gail Neish Dance School in Coal Wynd when she was just three, taking part in tap, modern and ballet classes led by Gail and latterly Laura Bernal.

Over the years she has appeared regularly in many of the school’s productions and played the lead role in Coppelia in March this year.

The former St Andrews High School pupil has also danced in several of the Christmas pantomimes at the Adam Smith Theatre.

For the past two years she has also danced with the Scottish Ballet senior associate programme in Glasgow after successfully auditioning. This programme helps dancers to hone their talent and is led by Kerry Livingstone who is in charge of the BA Modern Ballet programme.

And Hannah’s mum Catherine and dad, as well as her older sister Sarah, who is studying in Edinburgh for a career in film and theatre, couldn’t be prouder of their talented daughter and sister.

“She has worked so hard to achieve this and hopefully this is the first step for her on a successful dance career,” said Catherine.

“When we found out she had won a place we were just astounded and delighted, if a little bit apprehensive, because she is still so young. This is her chance to live her dream.”

Hannah hopes to go on to forge a career in dance, with the ultimate aim of joining a professional ballet company.

The Royal Conservatoire

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a school of music, drama, and dance in Glasgow. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland with over 500 public performances each year.

It was formerly known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The current principal is Jeffrey Sharkey, a renowned pianist and composer, and its patron is HRH The Duke of Rothesay.