By JONATHON HOWARD
A PEREGIAN Springs dance student will realise one of her wildest dreams after she was invited to study at the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne next year.
Dayna Booth, 15, attends school at St Andrew’s Anglican College and currently dances with the Dance Centre Peregian Springs.
Dayna will move to Melbourne and dance at the Australian Ballet School’s Southbank campus, while completing her school studies at the Victorian College of the Arts secondary school nearby.
The offer is only extended to the most elite young dancers in Australia and many graduate students have received contracts to dance in prestigious ballet companies.
An excited Dayna said her dream was to someday take the stage by storm.
“It is a step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a professional ballet dancer.
“It makes it feel a little more real,” she said.
Despite the golden ticket, Dayna said she would remain focused.
“I know it is a long, challenging road, but I can’t think of anything else that would make me happier,” she said.
“I love the Melbourne lifestyle and the Sunshine Coast is only a two-hour flight away.”
Dayna’s dance teachers recommended the youngster attend an audition for the exclusive school’s interstate program in 2012.
She was successful and offered a place on the interstate program.
Dayna then flew to Melbourne twice a year for training in addition to attending interstate classes in Brisbane.
Although her dance career has only spanned two years, the Dance Centre’s motto “combining technical excellence with a passion to dance” resonated with her.
Jacqui Booth, Dayna’s mother said her daughter’s passion and talent for ballet was unexpected.
“She has taken our whole family on a beautiful learning journey with her,” she said.
“She never ceases to amaze me with her dedication and devotion and how she thrives on the intense training schedule.
“As a parent, it is wonderful to watch your child paving their own path to their future so whole-heartedly.”
For more information about classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, neo classical or musical theatre at The Dance Centre Peregian Springs, phone 0417 938 238.
