A TALENTED young ballet dancer who is maintaining her poise and pirouettes during the lockdown has been rewarded by an online meeting with ballet dancer and celebrity Darcy Bussell.

Ballet pupil, Millie Holden, 15, from Redmire, started dancing with Janet Seymour’s Dance School aged nine, and normally attends her classes several times a week. The restrictions imposed by the Government’s lockdown have not deterred the star pupil from her weekly practice regime and she now attends ten ballet classes a week – albeit in her living room where her barre is set up.

The lessons are taught over the internet by Ms Seymour, whose other pupils also participate fully in her online teaching programme.

Millie also has one Zoom meeting every week, arranged by Ms Seymour with a New Zealand-based ballet specialist who is helping her with her point work.

In addition, Millie is due to take part in a Zoom interview via the Royal Ballet School with former ballerinas when she will get the chance to speak to both Darcy Bussell and Francesca Hayward.

Her headteacher at Wensleydale School, Julia Polley gave her the morning off in order that she may enjoy the experience. As a fan, Ms Polley describes her as “a super talented star”. Last year Millie took three dance exams in one day, and wore out a pair of shoes in the process. Just into the lockdown she took an exam by filming her performance. After submitting the evidence to the assessors she passed with a distinction.

Ms Seymour, who teaches ballet, modern dance and tap to students in Wensleydale and Swaledale, said: “Millie is really talented and dedicated, she works hard every day.”