West College Scotland’s Dance Sector maintains strong connections with the national dance organisation for young people in Scotland - YDance. When the organisation was asked to organise dance shows as part of the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships ceremonies, they immediately contacted the College to audition their talented students. Five of our Paisley Campus NC Dance students were selected and thrilled to take part in such a prestigious event.

The dance shows took place throughout the two-week Championships from 23 October to 1 November, including during the Opening Ceremony and the competition rounds interludes.

The shows were choreographed by YDance and our students got to learn and rehearse during three full training days at the Glasgow Tollcross Centre prior to the event.

For the five young dancers, aged from 16 to 18, it was their first performance at an international event. Needless to say they were overwhelmed by emotions, a mix of nervousness and excitement.

 Each girl found her own way to cope with stress before stepping on the impressive stage of the SSE Hydro: "I shake my hands to get the stress out” says Stephanie Graham. “Me, I just talked a lot before each show”, says Lynsey Weir.

Already passionate for dance, taking part in this exclusive event reinforced the five students’ ambition to become professional performers.

"The audience really got engaged in our shows. They were dancing with us, it was such a great feeling!” says Caroline Murphy. “We received thunderous applause for our performances. I just loved it!” says Anna Masterson Gallagher.

Pursuing their dreams, the five girls are very motivated and committed to study hard for the next three years until hopefully obtaining an HND Dance. “My dream is to perform in New-York city, in one of Broadway’s musicals. I’ll study hard and take advantage of every opportunity to perform so that I can make my dream come true.” says Emma Hamilton.

At West College Scotland, the lecturers are delighted to see their students starting the journey to realising their dreams. Gillian Desjacques, Music and Dance Curriculum Quality Leader at the College’s Paisley Campus, says:

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to have such a prestigious event added to their CV. It's also very satisfying for the staff team, who work so very hard, to see their students enhance their employability skills on such a world class platform.

The five WCS Paisley Campus NC Dance students selected to perform as part of the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships ceremonies also got the opportunity to meet some of the Team GB Olympic Gymnasts.