"It was the last thing on my mind, I just went there for the experience and didn't really think that would happen."
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Last month, Bridie Hanrahan made the 30 hour flight to Florence, Italy to dance in the Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive Program, a decision she would not have made if it weren't for a supportive shove from her Dance Unlimited teacher and principal, Ms Haley.
A new set of skills and confidence is not all that Bridie was gifted with from the trip to Italy, but also an offer to dance in the Bolshoi Ballet Academy's full time program at Moscow, Russia.
The Academy is considered one of the best in the world, and twelve-year-old Bridie said she was lost for words when she was informed she had secured a spot.
"I was very, very, very shocked and surprised, but it was really exciting for me as well," she said.
"After we finished the parents show, they pulled the people aside and said 'congratulations, you've been accepted into our full time program in Russia'.
"It means that you dance six days for a year and board with the school."
As for her father Jason, he was 'spun out' with the idea that his daughter was exceeding on such a high platform.
We're still a bit shocked ourselves, it's a little bit hard to comprehend.
- Jason Hanrahan
"When they told me, I was a bit spun out. My comment to the other parents was 'is this for real?' because we were all so shocked."
Bridie who first put a leotard on at the age of four, was the only ballerina from a small town in Australia to participate in the program and was also the youngest in her group full of 20-year-olds.
The reason she feels she was offered a spot in the Academy was a result of her motivation, while her father believes it has a lot to do with her determination.
"It's really motivating when I'm dancing next to people who are really good because it motivates me to get better," she said.
"Lately I've been working really hard at home to improve on my ballet especially because I've been going to the Tanya Pearson Academy in Sydney.
It just motivates me when I'm dancing with some of the best kids from all of the country and the world.
- Bridie Hanrahan
"Bridie works really hard. They had to do a performance on pointe shoes and they didn't realise she was so young, they thought she was older," Jason said.
"She hasn't been on pointe shoes for that long, and they gave her the option to go to the other class that didn't use them but she stayed so I think her determination is what impressed them."
When asked what it is that she loves about ballet, Bridie said it's because 'there's no such thing as perfect'.
"There's always something different to improve on," she said.
I like the fact it's challenging and there's no such thing as perfection.
- Bridie Hanrahan
Bridie is well on her way to secure her dream job as a dancer, particularly in contemporary ballet, and hopes of dancing in Europe as she gets older.
"I'd love to go to Europe one day and train over there," she said.
What do you think?
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
