A pair of students from a Newport-based dance school are celebrating after being selected to join prestigious national ballet programmes.
Diwata Vu and Lillie Amer, both pupils at The Starlight Academy, were chosen following a highly competitive application process.
15-year-old Lillie has secured a place with Ballet Boost as a Senior Associate – a scheme aimed at nurturing young dancers with professional ambitions.
Meanwhile, 10-year-old Diwata will join the Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate programme, where she will receive advanced training in ballet technique.
Both girls train regularly at Starlight Academy under the guidance of ballet teachers Emily Gifford and Gillian Cartwright.
Emily Gifford has said:
“This is such an incredible achievement that reflects Diwata and Lillie’s hard work, passion and perseverance. I’m beyond proud and so excited to see where their talent will take them next!”
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In addition to her new training programme, Diwata will also appear in a ballet production of Sleeping Beauty at the King’s Theatre in Portsmouth this September. She will perform alongside fellow Starlight student Imogen Shephard, also aged 10, after both dancers successfully auditioned for the English Youth Ballet earlier this year.
