DELIGHTED dancers from a Kingseat performing arts school are celebrating success after qualifying for the world championships in South Africa.

The youngsters from On Pointe, aged between six and 14, took part in a lyrical dance competition in Ayr last Sunday and swept the board, with every single dancer placing in their category with either distinction or honours.

Syrian McKenna, who runs the school, told the Press she was proud of her dancers’ achievements.

“We registered with the World Lyrical Dance Federation and were invited to the competition,” she said. “We didn’t realise it was a qualifier! We just said go out and have fun, enjoy the piece and show what you can do.

“Everyone qualified for the world championships in South Africa in 2017 and the little girl who won her solo is just 10 and got 91 out of 100.

“For some girls it was their first time at a competition and they all did so well. It was so nice for them to get the recognition they deserve.

“It was a little confidence boost to show them they can do this. They are all so talented and at such a young age.”

In the under-12 solo category, dancers from On Pointe took first, third and fourth place, as well as fifth and joint sixth in the under-14 solo category. The team routine from the elite squad were also runners-up in the over-14s category, despite being the youngest taking part.

For Syrian, who has watched the young dancers grow through the years she’s been teaching them, the achievements reflect the hard work they put in.

“The majority of them all started off in my baby class,” she said. “Some were three-or four-years-old and crying after class because they couldn’t do the splits! Now they’re going out and being judged by industry professionals. I’m so proud of them.

“Being their teacher I train them the way I believe a dancer should be, technical and elegant, but For them to get recognition from other people is lovely and it’s rewarding – it feels like I’ve done something right!"

“We did freestyle for a long time but around 18 months ago we came away from that and started doing more show work and lyrical competition. Lyrical dancing is a mixture of contemporary, ballet and jazz. It’s their own interpretation of the music. We pick a song and then decide on a routine and theme.

“I’ve had the school for around six years but I’ve never been as happy as I am now. I can really go for it with the choreography.”