Briana realises dreams

A lifetime of hard work and dedication paid off for teenage dancer Briana Emrich this month when she took six medals home from the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

The 16-year-old, who dances at Beverley Margaret School of Dance in Rockingham, battled it out against dancers from 37 countries to take top prizes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and lyrical categories for Australia.

She was also offered scholarship places at two top US dance academies.

The teenager, who trains six days per week, said she did not expect to do so well, but was delighted nonetheless.

“I couldn’t believe it when Miss Bev announced that I would be going to the world’s on the last night of our Christmas concert last year,” she said.

“It was the best Christmas present ever. I don’t know what life would be like if I couldn’t dance.”

Dance teacher Beverley Margaret, who has schooled Rockingham dancers for almost 40 years, said it was the first time there had been an opportunity to send one of her pupils to the prestigious talent show in Hollywood.

“I still remember this little thing coming in to my studio aged four with her little knobbly knees,” she said.

“It was obvious right away that Briana had the focus and concentration to work hard, she was bombproof.

“She has some choices to make for the future — but not yet.”

The home-schooled Year 11 student trains at the Dixon Road studio three days per week.

The 16-year-old also travels to Mount Lawley twice a week as she completes a Certificate III qualification in dance through the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.