A schoolgirl danced her way to a world champion title this month as she took part in the globe’s largest all-genre dance competition.
Emma Dean travelled to Braga in Portugal with her mum Jodi, dad Kenny and brother Adam to compete in the Dance World Cup which involved 7,500 dancers from across the world.
The ten-year-old competed for Team Scotland after auditioning and being selected at the end of last year to perform in three solo contests.
In the run-up to the event, Emma trained five to six times per week and her hard work paid off as she scooped, in her age group, the gold medal for tap, the silver medal for acro and placed sixth in jazz dance.
Proud mum Jodi told the Barrhead News: “We are really proud. Just getting picked and going was exciting and then to not only make the top six, but to get two medals was really special.
"It was amazing. She was just world-classd.
"Getting to see Emma standing there with the national anthem playing was really good."
The Netherlee Primary P6 pupil attends Dancebase Academy and Performing Arts in Vale of Leven and Jodi added: “Her teacher Lindsey Donald (the principal teacher and founder of Dancebase) worked really hard with her to get her to that level.”
It was the latest success for Emma from Netherlee who is also the current Scottish juvenile ballet, modern and acro champion following the Scottish Championships in April.
She also attends Scottish Ballet as a junior associate.
This weekend, Emma will be competing in the British Dance Championships near Blackpool.
“Now Emma will move up into an older age (group),” added Jodi. She will be dancing against kids who are 13.
“She's just turned 10, so the world cup was a nice way to complete all of her achievements at that juvenile level and now she's moved up into what they call junior."
A post on Dancebase’s social media page added: “World champion. Wow, wow, wow it’s a gold.
“We just can’t believe it.
“Emma Dean World Tap Champion with an invitation to the Gala too.
“I’m so proud of you sweetheart.
“The most perfect way to say goodbye to this dance.
“Huge congratulations.”
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