Mikaela wows judges in major dance event

She was competing against around 150 dancers from all over Britain and Ireland in the slow dance grand finals of the Western European Dance Championships in Dublin, and made it through to the final 20.

Her proud mum Allison, who travelled to Dublin with Mikaela’s sister Marissa, said: “We went with absolutely no expectations, and it was an amazing moment watching her perform.”

Mikaela got the chance to meet judges Abby Lee Miller and Payton Ackerman from the hit US TV show Dance Moms - and was thrilled when Abby clapped enthusiastically at the end of her routine.

Mikaela dances for Danceworkz, based in Pollok, and trains three or four times a week in classes which include stretch and stamina, gymnastics and freestyle technique.

She says teachers Karen Brown, Annie Walker and Lyndsey Kerr have boosted her confidence as well as giving her the skills neededto perform well. Michaela travels the UK and further afield to compete – besides her Irish trip she has also taken part in an event in Spain this year.