Hāwea teenager Elizabeth Pell is taking the next step in her dance career, starting at London Studio Centre later this year.

After receiving offers of study at three of London’s top dance schools, she recently visited all three, eventually selecting London Dance Centre for its versatile training which focuses on a dancer’s chosen pathway: in her case contemporary dance.

“The other two institutions were also extremely good but were focused on a narrower area of dance, and I decided that the broader opportunities would be better for me,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth, now 17, has been dancing since she was two, but only returned to the idea of pursuing it seriously at 16.

“When I was little I always imagined continuing dancing but slowly lost my passion as I got older and gave up on the idea,” she told the Wānaka App. 

“It wasn't until I was 16 when I decided to pursue my dreams and look at furthering my dance training after finishing school.”

Since then she has put in the time, sometimes committing up to 12 hours a week at Centralpoint Dance Studios, with a schedule that included private lessons, teaching younger dancers and preparing for competitions.

Practice and choreography continued at home: “I never do things half-hearted”.

She also choreographed Onstage Wānaka’s production of Blood Brothers last year, which she said was an “awesome experience”.

Centralpoint Dance Studios said it had been a privilege to work alongside and support Elizabeth in Wānaka.

Her selection to the three dance schools was “a true testament to her commitment, artistry and determination”.

Elizabeth will begin her three-year degree in professional dance performance at London Studio Centre in September.

She hopes to go on to work in teaching and choreography alongside performance.

PHOTO: Supplied