The coronavirus may have plagued this year's dance calendar, but Mid-Western's Abbey Rowland-Jones is determined to not let the pandemic stand in the way of achieving her dreams.

The 13-year-old, who has been dancing for the majority of her life, had been keeping busy with competitions across the state until the recent regional lockdown put a pause on performing.

"I was looking forward to the year ahead and was feeling extremely motivated and excited. Unfortunately COVID hit again and cancelled many plans," Abbey said.

"We were half way through the Wellington Eisteddfod when Orange went into lockdown and all Orange competitors were sent home, it more than halved the competition and put a real downer on one of our favourite eisteddfods.

"It wasn't the same dancing without so many of my dance friends, the best part of eisteddfods is getting to see everyone.

"Orange and Bathurst were both cancelled. I was so excited because it was going to be my first time in the Intermediates and I'd been working really hard, particularly on a new champs routine choreographed by Sydney choreographer, Shayne Samoley.

"The biggest upset is Nationals which was scheduled to be at Penrith Panthers in September, this is everything I work towards and the pinnacle of my dance year."

With her dream of becoming a professional dancer still burning deep within, Zoom has become the way in which Abbey can maintain her intense training schedule.

"I've taken on a lot more home training at the moment and attempt to do my seven hours a week minimum," she said.

"We are currently doing zoom classes with Dream Dance Academy and I do other zoom classes with Sydney based choreographers as well as the Claudia Dean online platform."

Some of this year's achievements for Abbey include:

"It was hard but extremely rewarding," Abbey said.

While plans are still on hold, Abbey said she is looking forward to working with industry professionals in the near future.

"I really hope to continue with Tanya Pearson into next year, I was so excited to have been accepted," she said.

"The Tanya Pearson affiliate program would help me improve my ballet and give me more hours in the genre.

"They offer classes at least once a term for affiliate students and I would hope to get to each one of these, which means a few trips to Sydney but my parents are happy to get me to Sydney at least once a month if required.

"I'll also hopefully be able to attend the intensive workshop in Melbourne for my final year as an ITP student with the Australian Ballet School."

Meanwhile, Abbey is overjoyed for her friend, Lily Woods, who has recently been accepted into Brent Street.

"I just want to make special mention of another Dream Dance Academy student and my good friend Lily Woods," Abbey said.

"She was the very first person I looked up to in dance, and at the age of three I vowed to be 'just like Lily'.

"We have danced together in Mudgee for many years and had a successful duo career together.

"I wish her all the best and am excited to see where this next chapter takes her. We are both very appreciative of the opportunities we receive with DDA's support."

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