Bertram dancer (11) hopes to compete in the US

BERTRAM dance prodigy Bethany King is tapping her way on to the world stage.

Having refined her skills at Reflections Academy of Dance in Medina, the 11-year-old recently won the NRG Dance Project Junior Regional Prodigy WA.

She is the only one in WA to gain the elite scholarship and the second for Australia.

It means she has now won a full scholarship that will see Bethany vie for the title of National Junior Prodigy, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in June 2019.

The scholarship covers all costs, including a four-day dance workshop and all entry fees.

Keen not to let this opportunity pass their daughter by, her family has begun fundraising to cover the cost of her travel and accommodation expenses.

They will sell chocolates, hold raffles and have started a go fund me page (Support Bethany’s US Finals Trip 19).

Bethany’s mother, Sam said they were looking into other options.

“The studio is fully behind her and it is such an amazing opportunity that could take her anywhere,” she said.

“It could lead to work all over the US.

“We couldn’t let this go; we have to try raise the money for her. We are very proud of her.”

Bethany herself is grateful for the opportunity.

“It meant a lot to win and it was really fun,” she said.

“I actually achieved something and it will help people know I’m a prodigy dancer.

“It can inspire my friends to go for their dreams.

“My dream is to be a back-up dancer one day for some of the big music artists such as Beyonce.

Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby said the family contacted him for support and to help get the word out about Bethany’s success.

“It’s great to see Bethany take on the world; she’s a star in the making,” he said.

“It’s so heart-warming to see a young girl from Bertram mix it with the best young dancers in the world.

“Bethany has so much natural talent but she also has passion for dance and she’s prepared to work hard six days a week.”

Visit Bethany’s US finals trip or contact Reflections Dance Academy owner, Melissa Riseberry at the studio website Reflections Dance Academy.