Dancing dream comes true

Published 25 Mar 2010 09:47 6 Comments

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GREAT SCOT: Hayley is the first Scot to win a place at the elite academy

By Rosalyn Campbell

A YOUNG Renfrew ballet dancer is the first Scot to be awarded a place at a prestigious Russian dance school.

Hayley Stobbo, 16, sent an audition DVD off to the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow and was over the moon when she was accepted into the world-renowned academy.

The talented Deanpark teen said: "When I found out I'd been accepted, I was in school and my mum phoned me screaming and I couldn't understand a word she said - she had to phone back again.

"I was in complete shock and still am.

"My mum is going through mixed emotions - of course she's over the moon, but obviously scared that her wee girl's leaving, especially to such a far-away place.

"The holidays in Russia are completely different to ours, so that was my last Christmas and birthday at home.

"They celebrate Christmas on January 7 in Russia.

"It's scary to think of moving to Moscow but amazing at the same time, to be given an opportunity as big as that.

"Everyone at school's been saying to me - you need to buy a fur hat.

"I'm a bit nervous about the classes being taught in Russian. I will be learning an hour and a half of Russian a day and hopefully with learning everyday and hearing it everyday I'll pick it up."

Hayley, who currently attends the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow, started dancing at the age of two.

She said: "I was put in the class to make friends and as a hobby. I took to it straight away and my mind's never changed since as to my career.

"Both my mum and dad are very proud. I'm just over the moon - the only concern I do have is we don't have funding, so I'm looking for private funders to come forward and help with the £17,000-a-year costs."

In the Scottish Parliament, MSP Dr Bill Wilson lodged a motion congratulating Hayley.

He said: "It is a tremendous achievement for anyone to be accepted by the Bolshoi School, but the fact that Ms Stobo is the first person from our nation to be accepted deserves particular recognition. I congratulate Hayley on her achievement and highlight the fact that sponsorship is needed in order for anyone to go to the ballet school in Moscow. I wish her every success in her training, and hope to see her develop in to a ballet role model for young people in Scotland."

This article appeared in The Gazette 24 Mar 10

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G Sampson
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Mar 25, 15:23
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Good for her! Its great to hear about young people doing well and this a great opportunity for Hayley to experience the world. Hope she had a great time!

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Sarah
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Mar 26, 14:06
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Russia will be a major culture shock for Hayley. I saw a performance on the Bolshoi Ballet once and it was just beautiful! Im sure she will have a ball - Im jealous!

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Alison Saunders
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Mar 30, 08:09
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The future of the dance school of scotland is in jeapordy because there may not be any residential provision next year. You can sign the petition here:

http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/view_petition.asp?PetitionID=376

Otherwise future talent like Hayley will not have a chance to shine.

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JC
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Mar 30, 08:12
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hopefully local businesses will be generous so that she is able to get funding.a hardworking taleted person should receive support from the local community businesses so they can receive more training and progress their career.

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celia d
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Mar 30, 08:16
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i have been to russia it gets extremely cold in winter its just unbelievable, our cold snap was nothing compared to it well at least she can dance to keep warm!

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******
Mar 30, 08:17
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andy
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Mar 30, 08:21
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well done what amazing news! its lovely to see a young person's hard work and talent pay off in such a fantastic way.

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