Dancing with the Stars

Emilia Forsyth, one of our S1 pupils at Wallace Hall Academy has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She dances with the Dumfries School of Dance and last year was selected to attend weekly ballet classes at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) every Sunday.

Earlier this year, Emilia was delighted to be selected from over 60 dancers from across the UK who applied to take part in the Easter Residential School with the prestigious Yorkshire Ballet Seminars. Emilia spent a week at Ashville College, Harrogate, learning technique and repertoire from leading dance industry professionals and teachers.

Emilia said: “My mum and my auntie are both dancers and this inspired me to learn ballet. The course was really great and at the end of the week we put on a big performance for all of our parents which I really enjoyed. My favourite dance was a piece from Giselle where we all took part. I would love to be a professional ballerina one day and I am prepared to put in the hard work and effort required to achieve my dream. I had the most amazing time and I am proud to have been given this wonderful opportunity.”

Mr Graham, Head Teacher at Wallace Hall, said: “Being chosen to be part of the Junior Ballet Company at the RCS and for the Yorkshire Ballet Easter School is a huge achievement. To reach this level requires significant talent and dedication, both of which Emilia has demonstrated in abundance. I look forward to following Emilia’s progress and I am confident she will achieve her dream of becoming a professional ballerina one day.”

Among her teachers were Iain MacKay, former Principal Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet and International Artistic Manager of the Royal Ballet School. Emilia was proud to be working with Iain and get her picture taken with him.