Seven talented young dancers from the Black Country are a step closer to realising their dreams after being chosen to perform with the English Youth Ballet.

Katie Gwinnell (14), Faye Hyde (15), Holly Westwood (15), Siena Smith (12), Amy Stringer (13), Rubie Marsden (10) and Amelia Morgan (13) are set to dance in the EYB’s professional double bill production of Nutcracker Suite and Ballet Études.

The aspiring stars, who beat off tough competition from more than 200 hopeful dancers at auditions in May, are currently in rehearsals for the show which will run from September 29th to 30th at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

During the performances, they will dance alongside international principal dancers – Phillip Tunstall, Monica Tapiador, Samantha Camejo, Amy Drew and Oliver Speers. Faye, who dances with the Karen Yates School of Dance, said:

"[I'm] looking forward to learning different styles of choreography and performing with EYB”.

Equally excited are Kinver High School pupil Katie Gwinnell who attends Springs Dance Academy; Haybridge High School pupil Siena Smith who attends Richardz Dance and Fitness; and Summerhill School pupils Amy Stringer and Amelia Morgan, who both attend the Gwynn School of Dance. Amy also goes to Stourbridge Dance Academy. 

Tickets for the show can be booked online grandtheatre.co.uk or from the box office on 01902 429212.