Lauren Colson wowed a former principal ballerina of The Australian Ballet to win a spot at a renowned competition in Sydney.
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The Launceston 14-year-old has danced for 10 years, starting ballet at the age of four and picking up jazz and tap at seven.
After years of dedication, and dance taking up “a lot of time after school”, Miss Colson has developed a passion for perfection.
"I'd be very bored with out [dancing],” Miss Colson said.
Miss Colson competed at the Genee Dance Challenge state finals in Hobart two weeks ago.
She performed a 90-second self-choreographed ballet routine in front of renowned ballerina Madeleine Eastoe, who was a principal dancer with The Australian Ballet.
The performance earnt Miss Colson a win in overall choreography and she was the individual prize winner of the level three dancers.
She will head to Sydney in December to compete against level three winners from around Australia in the Genee Dance Challenge.
The dance challenge provides an experience for young dancers which emulates the prestigious Genee International Ballet Competition.
As well as performing her self-choreographed routine on an esteemed stage, Miss Colson has won two tickets to spectate the Genee Final at the Sydney Opera House.
The Genee International Ballet Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance’s annual flagship event.
The competition was lasted hosted in Australia in 2002 in Sydney.
Miss Colson was a “bit shocked” when she found out she was set to represent Tasmania, but said she was “really excited”.
Miss Colson is unsure what role dance will play in her future, but knows it will always play a part in her life.
"I don't know if I'll be a ballet dancer necessarily, but I definitely want dancing to be in my life somehow, I'm just not sure yet how it's going to be there," she said.
Lauren’s mum, Narelle Colson, is glad her daughter’s talent has been fostered at the Tasmanian Academy of Dance at Invermay.
“She's got expert training in something she loves, but also, the people around her have encouraged her dancing, but also her personally,” Mrs Colson said.
“[She’s] developing as a teenager in such a positive way, and [has been able to] keep the big picture perspective around everything."