A DALRY teenager who began dancing at the age of three is now preparing to head south to London to realise her lifelong dream of studying dance at a leading performing arts college where she has secured a partial scholarship.

Kaytee Russell, 19, will study a variety of dance styles, specialising in Commercial Jazz, at London Theatre School over the next year. Having had a strong interest in dance since she was a toddler she began dancing in a number of projects delivered by YDance, Scotland’s national youth dance organisation, when she was 13.

Kaytee Russell said: “I always loved dancing when I was little and always danced at home but properly started dancing when I was about thirteen and joined YDance.

“I went to a number of different workshops and leadership courses which got me an Award in Dance Leadership. They gave me great opportunities.

“It was my teacher, Lisa Yip, who gave me my first ever leotard and ballet shoes as well as the confidence to go for an audition at Stow College where I have now studied for three years.” YDance first met Kaytee when she was part of Free to Dance, a project in which teenage girls across Ayrshire, Glasgow and Orkney were encouraged to get fit and feel good about themselves through dance. From there she went on to complete a YDance Project Y Foundation Course and achieved an Award in Dance Leadership qualification through the YDance Active project.

YDance Active Project Director, Lisa Yip said: “It’s been a pleasure to see Kaytee grow in to the wonderful dancer she is today. Ever since the Free to Dance project we have seen her go from strength to strength and we couldn’t be happier for her now she has a place at London Theatre School.” Having just completed her HND at Stow College Kaytee attended a scholarship audition at Pineapple Dance Studios and has been granted a partial scholarship to study her course. By the time she completes the course she will have earned herself a London Theatre School Diploma. After that, the sky is the limit.