FACING a formidable figure in the form of celebrity dance teacher Abby Lee Miller, a Penarth teenager rose to the occasion and impressed the world famous choreographer.

Abby Lee, whose dance school is the subject of hit TV show Dance Moms, hosted a masterclass in London during her recent trip to the UK and hand picked 16-year-old Lucy Sharpe as one of the 20 best dancers at the mock audition.

A group of students from Penarth's Performing Arts Academy Wales travelled to face the woman once described by Holly Willoughby as the "scariest person" she's ever met.

More than 500 students attended the mock audition where they were taught a routine in a short space of time.

Lucy was singled out for a place in the final "recall", an incredible achievement for the Penarth teenager.

Performing Arts Academy Wales principle Vicky Russell said: "Abby hand picked Lucy which was incredible, I was so proud of her.

“The standard was phenomenal and there were so many people there, you had to really stand out to even be notice.

"Lucy attends dance and musical theatre classes at the academy four days a week and her hard work is certainly paying off.

"There’s no question that Lucy has a bright future ahead of her and being selected for the final 20 by a world famous dance teacher and choreographer is certainly the stuff dreams are made of."

You can see Lucy’s re-call dance on the Performing Arts Academy Wales Facebook page or visit www.paaw.co.uk