PORT Seton teenager Anna McSorley has beaten off stiff competition to win a prestigious place in the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland.

Anna, 17, of Links Place, was chosen by YDance, Scotland’s national youth dance organisation, for its flagship 2014/2015 company and is preparing herself for a whirlwind of creative master classes and performances throughout the next year.

She was selected from a two-stage audition process at which more than 50 of Scotland’s top young dancers tried out.

Dancing since the age of three, Anna is experienced in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance.

She was once a Scottish Ballet Junior Associate and currently studies Contemporary dance at Morningside Dance Academy in Edinburgh.

She was first introduced to YDance when she was selected to perform in Project Y, a four-week summer intensive programme for young dancers.

After touring Scotland with Project Y, she gained a place in the 2013/2014 National Youth Dance Company of Scotland and is now returning for her second year.

Anna said: “I’m incredibly lucky to be accepted into such a collaborative and creative group of very close dancers.

“I’m so excited to be given the performance opportunities the company have this year. I’m especially looking forward to creating a new piece.” The dancer takes her place alongside 12 others for the next year, building her technical, creative and performance skills through creation master class weekends, rehearsals and performances across the UK and abroad.

Working with Anna Kenrick, NYDCS choreographer and YDance’s artistic director, the company will work together to create an exciting new piece to be premiered at YDance Routes Destinations in February 2015.

Now in its third year, the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland is YDance’s flagship company, showcasing talent and creative skills from all of its members aged 16-21.

The company was created following the success of Project Y and nurtures youth dance talent from across Scotland at near professional standard.

The first performance will come in the new year when the company takes to the stage at YDance Routes Destinations at Macrobert, Stirling – on February 21, 2015 – to showcase their newly created piece.