A Warrnambool teenager has boosted her dancing career prospects after stunning dance experts with a classical ballet solo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Emmanuel College year 12 student Ashlyn Walker won the inaugural Ballet Australasia classical scholarship in Sydney.
"It was overwhelming for a small town country girl to win such a prize," she said.
"I kept looking around and thinking how good (the other dancers) were."
The classical and contemporary dancer was one of 26 from across Australia and New Zealand invited to compete based on her 2018 dance exam results.
"We had to do a class with Marie Walton-Mahon from Progressive Ballet Technique, then perform four exercises in the semi-final," she said.
"I was then one of four selected to perform a classical solo."
Ashlyn said it was an incredible feeling to win against the strong field, which also included Warrnambool's Gabby Beames.
Ashlyn received a $5500 scholarship to further her training, a professional photo-shoot on Bondi Beach, plus vouchers for travel and dancewear.
"I am hoping to move to Melbourne next year to be a full-time dancer so the money goes towards that," Ashlyn said.
"I have auditions with a few schools in Melbourne coming up so hopefully I get accepted into one of those."
Ashlyn's current teacher Melissa Dance, from Melissa's Dance Elements, said the Sydney win would be a springboard for her career.
"It's absolutely overwhelming to win this award, we feel like we have made history," Dance said.
"The opportunity to dance with Miss Walton-Mahon itself was worth the trip to Sydney, and then to win is just unbelievable.
"This will be a huge help for her studies next year."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
