Seven dance students from Belfast will finally get to compete in the biggest dance competition in the world next week - two years after it was initially meant to go ahead.
While most of us spent lockdown sat on the sofa, these girls were dancing non-stop in their living rooms - determined not to let the opportunity of a lifetime pass them by.
Bella Watts, 12, Olivia Davison, 12, Talia Murray, 13, Caitlin Heatley, 13, Violet Coen, 15, Ciara McLoughlin, 15, and Sophie Christie, 18, will be flying over to England to take part in the Dance World Cup - competing against dancers from 62 other countries around the world.
The girls were selected out of 120,000 dancers who auditioned.
Louise Herron, 44, founder of NISMAT Theatre School in Belfast, said: "In lockdown, the dance world was actually brilliant. There were so many workshops online, and they got to work people they never would have even met. So that really kept them going.
"They really kept it up, which is why they’re getting to go."
The Dance World Cup 2020 and 2021 are taking place at the same time, meaning the girls will dance every day for 10 days - performing 53 dances between them.
The competition was originally due to take place in Rome in 2019 and then Spain in July 2021. But luckily for the girls, it is now taking place in Telford, meaning they can compete in person.
Jazz, contemporary, lyrical, song and dance and commercial are the categories they will compete in.
Louise said: "They are so excited. Every time they believed it was going to happen it didn’t. I don’t think they really believed it until now.
“They’re nervous, excited and their adrenaline is right up there. They’re working flat out constantly practising and rehearsing.
"I'm a very proud teacher and principal and our dance teachers deserve so much credit - Craig McCune and Kerrie Gallagher. It is an honour to represent team NI on the world stage after such a tumultuous year.
"They deserve to just get out and shine no matter what."
