A 12-year-old girl from Banbridge has secured her place among 18 dancers selected to represent Northern Ireland at Dance Excellence 2025 in Los Angeles, USA.
Following auditions held in May 2024 with students from studios across Northern Ireland, award-winning acro-soloist Maddie Elliott was selected as one of the dancers to make up Northern Ireland’s first ever ‘Elite team’.
Elite team dancers will not only be given the honour of representing their country at the prestigious convention, but will also have the opportunity to perform at Universal Studios Hollywood!
Maddie is one of four selected from Belfast dance school, Ajendance N.I. who are delighted to be able to showcase their incredible young talent at the international festival.
Speaking to Armagh I, Maddie’s mum Julie said: “It’s a great achievement and she was the first one to be selected to be on the team.
“We started Irish dancing with Maddie when she was four and she danced with Melissa Convery Dance Academy and then started to dabble a little bit in what she does now.
“On her nights off she started a bit of acro and modern and things like that and then from Covid she has been full time at Ajendance and dances about four days a week!”
The commitment has undoubtedly paid off. Maddie and her troupe will now join some of the finest dancers from approximately 31 countries across four continents to showcase their routines at DEX showcases, and also in Universal Studios, Hollywood on the famous Citywalk Stage.
And, despite being one of the youngest on the team, Maddie cannot wait to touch down on American soil in April 2025.
There, she and her team – who commenced training in July with Ajendance’s creative team Annika Drennan and Clare Montgomery – will have the opportunity to take masterclasses from top industry master teachers and choreographers.
Said Maddie: “This is the biggest convention I’ve gone to. I’m nervous but really excited.
“I’m most excited for the opportunities and meeting the new people that it’s going to bring.”
Annika Drennan, Project Leader from Ajendance N.I., added: “What an unbelievable opportunity we have here! Representing our country in the USA and giving those young people this incredible experience. We are blessed.’’
Maddie’s fellow Banbridge Academy schoolmate, Katie Hughes (14) has also been selected to join the team.
Speaking of her daughter’s achievement Katie’s mum, Alanna, commented: “We are so grateful to be given this once in a lifetime opportunity for Katie to represent NI in Los Angeles. It will be an experience she will never forget.
“She is looking forward to showcasing her talents, making new friends and learning new skills from the many other talented dancers across the world!”
Maddie (front left) performing alongside Katie (front right)
But, once-in-a-lifetime experiences don’t come cheap! The experience will cost just over £3,200 per person attending, with anyone under the age of 16 requiring a paying adult to accompany.
With her daughter now in the midst of training, Julie has also gotten to work in planning her fundraisers: “Two of the girls are both from Banbridge Academy. The dance teacher there is going to help get something organised like a non-uniform day hopefully.
“I want to do a sponsored walk along the towpath and try and do a table quiz in town at one of the football clubs and I also have an idea for a Banbridge talent showcase to show everyone what these children can do!”
To help ensure the dream team make it to the City of Angels, a collective GoFundMe page has also been created with the funds to be split equally between all 18 team members.
Continued Annika: “Not only is this an amazing cultural exchange, but the new skills they will learn will benefit all their local studios and friends in classes when they return.
“Please support these amazing young people and we would really appreciate your help promoting this venture.”
