AN aspiring dancer took to the stage to perform with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Miley Sharpe, a Year Five pupil at Bolton School junior girls’ school, starred in the company’s production of Swan Lake Dreams at the Birmingham Hippodrome just before the lockdown began.

The youngster has been dancing for six years and, although she has danced in front of judges for competitions, this was her first time dancing in a professional performance.

Every two years, the Birmingham Royal Ballet produces “Dreams”, a performance project for ballet students which offers the opportunity to dance alongside company dancers.

Miley applied because she loves the story of ‘Swan Lake’ and says it is one of her favourite ballets.

Following auditions, she was named one of the Little Swans along with two friends from her ballet school, Janet Lomas School of Dancing.

A spokesman for Bolton School said: “Every Wednesday since October, and sometimes more than once a week, she visited Birmingham for rehearsals and worked hard to learn the ‘Swan Lake’ choreography.

“Miley was particularly excited to hear from internationally renowned dancer Carlos Acosta CBE, Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, who sent an inspiring video message to the cast ahead of their performance.

“She appeared in Acts 2 and 4 of ‘Swan Lake Dreams’ and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.”