A YOUNG dancer from Liss is rehearsing for a professional production of the ballet Swan Lake.

Lily Batt (10), will perform in the English Youth Ballet (EYB) production at The Hawth Theatre, Crawley, on Friday, November 25, and Saturday, November 26.

Lily’s mum, Louise, is bursting with pride.

Louise said: “Lily has been dancing since she was four years old and she dances all the time from morning to night. Even as a toddler she danced along to music.

“This will be Lily’s first professional performance on stage and I am very proud of her. It is very exciting for us and we will watch her perform as a family.

“Lily is in her third year as a Royal Ballet School Junior Associate, and at the end of the year she hopes to become a Mid Associate. Lily also loves jazz dance and boppin, but her dream is to pursue a career as a ballerina.

“She loves being on stage.

“Lily dances every day from Monday to Saturday and also goes to school, which gives her discipline as she knows what she wants.”

Louise also praised the support Lily has received from her school, Liss Junior School, and her dance school, Liss Forest Ballet School.

Louise said: “Liss Junior School have been very supportive and the headteacher, Jillian Myers, thinks it is a great opportunity for Lily.

“Yolande Parkin, who is the principal at Liss Forest Ballet School, put Lily forward for the Royal Ballet School Junior Associates, and all the children at the school love Yolande.

“Lily studies at the Junior Associate programme in Eastleigh and there is a real family feel there. It is lovely and it helps with the children’s confidence.”

EYB held auditions in July for the Swan Lake ballet on the stage at The Hawth.

Nearly 300 young dancers turned up to the two auditions, and Lily was chosen to be in the production. The rehearsals for the ballet are taking place at Reigate School and are keeping Lily busy.

All of the soloist and corps de ballet roles in the production will be performed by 100 dancers aged between eight and 18 years old.