A DANCER is flying high after securing a place at one of the country’s best dance colleges.
Richmond sixth former Hannah Smith will study professional dance and musical theatre at the celebrated Bird College in London.
The 18-year-old, of Richmond, has been passionate about dance since she saw Billy Elliott in the West End when she was young.
She shares this love with her younger siblings Year 11 Richmond School student Connie, 16, and Year 8 pupil George, 12. They have all already shared the stage together in panto at the Georgian Theatre.
Bird College of Dance attracts countless hopefuls every year with places coveted by students.
Hannah successfully completed a nine and half hour audition including interviews, a singing presentation, monologue and dance class. She had to wait six weeks to hear if she had secured a place.
“I was going on another audition when the letter arrived,” said Hannah, who is a member of North Yorkshire Dance Company and is studying A Level dance at Richmond Sixth Form.
“I had waited so long that I thought I hadn’t got in – so I was so happy when I had. I love dance more than acting and singing but will need all three for the West End. One day I would love to teach with my own dance school.”
Richmond School and Sixth Form is fast developing a reputation for success in performing arts.
Sophie Overin, 18, of Richmond, has gained a place at Royal Holloway University, London, where she has a choral scholarship to read music and French.
Freya Mawhinney, 18, of Richmond, has been offered a place at Northampton University’s acting and drama school, while Hannah Muirhead, 18, of Whashton, will read musical theatre at the University of Central Lancashire.
Bethan Teale, 17, of Reeth, will read drama at Kingston University, London, and Rob Capon, 17, of Bedale, is to take a year out to broaden his experience in theatre before studying at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Lucy Owens, 17, of Richmond, will study drama and media at Edge Hill, Liverpool, Ben Purkiss-McEndoo, 19, of Aske, will study filmmaking at Manchester Metropolitan University and Clara Wade, 17, of Richmond, will study popular music at Chester University.
Assistant head teacher Leslie Richardson said: “It is fantastic to see our students succeed in a field about which they feel so passionately. I’m confident they are destined for great things and a life full of rich rewards.”