A YOUNG dancer from Wokingham is jumping for joy after winning a scholarship worth £45,000.
Amelia Lusted, 10, who has attended the Jayne A Coleman Academy of Dance since she was three-years-old, won The Stage Scholarship at the Barbara Speake Stage School, which will cover her school fees up to Year 11.
The young dancer, who is trained in ballet, tap, modern dance, street, jazz, musical theatre, singing and acting, appeared in a UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang last year, and has performed on CBBC in My Team the Cheerleaders.
Speaking to The Stage, Amelia said: “When I heard I had won the scholarship, I couldn’t believe the news, it was like my dream had come true.
“I didn’t have the greatest start in life before being adopted, and life is hard for my family as I have a disabled brother. I would never have been able to train in a full-time performing arts school for all of secondary school without this full scholarship.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity. It means the absolute world to me that Barbara Speake Stage School and The Stage believe in me. If I can bring some happiness to people with my performing, it makes me happy too.”