Peterborough 9-year-old represents England at Global Dance Open in Spain

A talented nine-year-old dancer from The Hebden School of Dancing has once again made her mark on the international stage, representing England for the second year running at the prestigious Global Dance Open International Finals in Spain.

Ayla, who trains at The Hebden School of Dancing, and every Friday as part of the Peterborough based specialist training The Vocational Day School, competed against some of the world’s most talented young dancers in highly competitive sections featuring up to 35 finalists from across the globe.

Performing both a Ballet and Contemporary solo, Ayla achieved exceptional results:

• 7th in the World – Mini Contemporary

• 8th in the World – Mini Ballet

• Highest Scoring English Mini Contemporary Soloist

Her Ballet & Contemporary solo was choreographed by Chloe Hebden and Meg Snow, showcasing the creativity and technical excellence developed through her training at The Hebden School of Dancing.

This marks the second consecutive year that Ayla has earned the honour of representing England at the Global Dance Open International Finals – a remarkable achievement for a dancer of just nine years old.

Chloe Hebden, Principal of The Hebden School of Dancing, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Ayla. To represent England for a second consecutive year is an incredible achievement in itself, and to return home having finished among the top dancers in the world in both Ballet and Contemporary is simply outstanding. Ayla is an exceptionally dedicated young dancer who works incredibly hard, and it has been wonderful to watch her continue to grow in both technique and artistry. She is a fantastic ambassador for both our school and England.”

The Global Dance Open International Finals is regarded as one of the world’s leading dance competitions, attracting elite young performers from across the globe.

Her success has been celebrated by teachers, fellow dancers and the wider dance community, with many believing this is just the beginning of a very bright future in dance.