A YOUNG North Berwick ballet prodigy has received tuition from a world-famous ballet star after she was accepted into an exclusive masterclass.

Maisie Belle Black was trained for the day in Edinburgh by Danish dancer, choreographer and director Peter Schaufuss.

The 13-year-old started learning at Dunbar School of Dance at the age of three and now trains with Scottish Ballet and the Edinburgh Ballet.

She said: “I love dancing. It gives me the freedom to express myself and I particularly enjoy the technical precision of ballet.

“I currently train several times a week but am always looking for more opportunities to dance and perform.”

Maisie, a student at Mary Erskine School, has already competed in many competitions including the Dance World Cup and That’s Showbiz.

She had attended workshops at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School last year and jumped at the chance to work with the world-famous ballet dancer.

She added: “I’d heard a lot about Peter Schaufuss and his son Luke before as they are both very well-known.

“Getting to work with Peter was an amazing opportunity and I really enjoyed it.”

The famous dancer Schaufuss has performed and directed all over the world with leading companies including Kirov Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet, as well as founding The English National Ballet School.

He said: “The masterclass presents an opportunity for Scottish dancers to spend a day learning from those that have been at the highest level of the dance profession.

“It’s an opportunity for students to be taught by some of the leading figures from the dance world and to learn what it takes to be a professional dancer.”

The class itself was designed by Schaufuss, who has plans to have a full-time school up and running from September based at St Stephen’s Church in Stockbridge, Edinburgh.

Maisie added: “My ultimate dream is to be a professional dancer and perform every day.”