Dancer Niyah shows she’s up with the best

Dancer Niyah shows she’s up with the best

A young Levin dancer has turned heads at one of the biggest ballet competitions in the Southern Hemisphere.

Niyah Henare-Pearson, 12, reached the quarterfinals at the Alana Haines Australasian Awards, competing against 380 of the best young dancers from New Zealand and Australia.

Niyah’s dance teacher, Chantal Pinguet, says the Levin The Movement dance studio was “buzzing” as news of Niyah’s achievement spread, as those types of results are usually reserved for dancers from the big cities.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement,” she says. “It really is a big deal for a dancer from a small town.”

The awards are held biannually and in the past 30 years has grown in prestige. Dancers have to be aged 11 or older, so it was Niyah’s first year competing.

Chantal says the achievement is just reward for a dedicated dancer who is passionate about the art. She also belongs to the New Zealand School of Dance scholarship programme after a successful audition.

“Niyah trains most days of the week. She is an exceptional student and one that all our junior dancers look up to.

“It’s great that she has been provided this opportunity. It’s due not only to her talent but also her work ethic.”