A THURSO dance school took home a dozen top awards after travelling to Kilmarnock to compete in its first freestyle competition.

RISE Dance Academy had all its members reach the finals and 12 of the team went on to take home winning trophies while others had second and third placings.

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Principal teacher Samarah-Leigh Sinclair said: “I am very proud of each of my dancers and I am very excited to be creating opportunities which encourage all abilities to take part.

"We travelled a round-trip of at least 13 hours and it was worth every minute to see the smiles and achievements on all the parents' and dancers' faces.”

Samarah-Leigh said that all the kids were delighted to be on the competing circuit after 12 months of exclusive training at her new freestyle dance school.

She was then asked to present trophies to all solo finalists sections at the competition and was then announced as one of the youngest professionals to be running her own dance school.

RISE is next travelling to Glasgow on Sunday (May 19) to compete at Scottish Dancer of the Year.

For information on classes and competitions please follow the Facebook page RISE Dance Academy.

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