Dancing for joy (From Penarth Times)

Dancing for joy

A YOUNG Sully dancer has been awarded a priceless chance to study at a top ballet school. Lauren Jones, 11, of Smithies Avenue, has been dancing for only three years but her forward for the elite Elmhurst School.

The first audition was held in January, then Lauren went back in February to try out for a scholar-ship and was delighted to be one of just 10 young people to be awarded one.

Over 500 people applied.

The Sully Primary school student heads off in September to the Surrey school but in August, she will be attending a summer school in London.

Lauren's mum Debra said: "It started off as a hobby, but we soon saw that she has a real gift. It is now her ambition to become a classical dancer."

At the moment, Lauren and her younger brother Adam and sister Joanna still go to Sully Primary school together but she will soon be living in Surrey throughout the year.

The Elmhurst school is moving to a purpose-built premises in Birmingham in two years and will have closer links to the Birmin-gham Royal Ballet.

Debra added: "The scholarship pays for Lauren's accommodation as well as taking care of the £1,200 fees. It is an incredible contr-ibution. And we are very grateful to Nicola Peros. She's very demanding, but a fantastic teacher.

"We're so proud of Lauren. It's going to be difficult letting her go so far away so young. But it's an amazing opportunity."