A gifted young dancer who aspires to perform on the world’s most famous stages has been awarded a place at the prestigious Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
Newcastle teenager, Maisie Stanger-Crosby, who has danced since the age of three and trains up to 15 hours a week around her A-Level studies, is one of just 45 performers chosen from more than 400 who auditioned for the renowned dance school based in London.
The 18-year-old, who is taking A Level Dance at Dame Allan’s Schools, in Fenham, Newcastle, has trained with some of the region’s most esteemed choreographers, performed in multiple dance groups - achieving distinctions in every dance grade she has completed.
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Speaking on her achievement, Maisie said: “I have dreamt about a place at Rambert for as long as I can remember; I still don’t quite believe I’ve got in!
"I’m so excited to see where my training will take me – my hope is that I will be a successful, touring dancer, performing to large audiences, on some of the most famous stages across the world.”
The Sixth Form student, who will also sit A Levels in Economics and Psychology this term, was offered an unconditional place at Rambert following a tough audition process that saw her perform both in groups and solo, to a panel of Rambert teachers.
“Four days after the audition, I was in Dame Allan’s dance studio when I received an email from Rambert. I was almost too scared to read it!” she added.
“There were a lot of happy tears when I told my family and friends that I’d received an unconditional place; they knew just how much it meant to me.”
Maisie started ballet dancing 15 years ago at Katherine Brett Academy of Dance in Jesmond. She has gone on to pass, with distinction, six RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) ballet grades and four vocational ballet grades.
She is currently training for the final Advance 2 Ballet exam.
The reputation of Dame Allan’s dance department saw Maisie join the independent school in Year 7. There she has been an integral member of both the junior and senior dance companies, and worked with many guest choreographers including acclaimed dancer Neville Campbell, and former Rambert dancers Jordan Robson and Allanian Adam Park.
Jesmond-born Mr Park, who Maisie described as one of her ‘biggest inspirations’, also attended Dame Allan’s Schools between 2002 and 2009, going on to tour with the Rambert Dance Company for seven years.
He said: “Maisie is an exceptionally talented and hard-working individual who, since a young age, has put in the hours to achieve a lofty goal. As delighted as I was to hear she was offered a place at Rambert, it came as no surprise.
"It's a wonderful school that will push her to become the best dancer she can possibly be.”
Maisie has also danced at Northern Ballet in Leeds and at 15 yearsold, joined the Centre for Advance Training at Dance City in Newcastle, to hone her contemporary skills. She also performs annually at The People’s Theatre, in Newcastle.
She added: “I come from a family of singers and performers, which has really helped my dancing. They have taught me to be confident in both myself and my performances, and to push myself and work hard to achieve my dreams.”
Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, Will Scott, said: “The Schools’ thriving dance department has helped teach and nurture some incredibly gifted and creative pupils over the years. We are delighted for Maisie, whose hard work and natural talents have secured her a place at her dream dance school.”
Does Masie's story inspire you? What personal achievement are you most proud of?
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