TWO Glasgow dancers were selected to perform with a prestigious New York company.

Grace Diggines and Ellie Wood joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival.

Grace, who lives in Carmyle, and Ellie, from Greenock, are graduates of Dance Studio Scotland, the dance department of Glasgow Clyde College.

The women performed in front of hundreds of thousands of festival-goers and tourists in the capital.

Glasgow Times: Ellie WoodEllie Wood (Image: Glasgow Clyde College)

Following a rigorous audition process, Ellie, 19, and Grace, 21, were chosen among a select few of Scotland’s best dancers to perform with AAADT, which regularly tours across the globe.

Both have been dancing from a young age, studying ballet, tap and contemporary.

Glasgow Times: Grace DigginesGrace Diggines (Image: Glasgow Clyde College)

In 2021, they were chosen for Scottish Ballet's Youth Exchange programme and selected for the Dance Studio Scotland Company, an elite group of 12 dancers drawn from the entire student body to receive extra training and choreographic opportunities.

Maxine Railton, curriculum manager for Dance Studio Scotland, said: “We couldn’t be more proud of Ellie and Grace.

"We’re very lucky to have some hugely talented dancers at Dance Studio Scotland and for Ellie and Grace to have been selected to perform for such a distinguished and recognised dance company at such a young age is incredible.  

Glasgow Times: Ellie WoodEllie Wood (Image: Glasgow Clyde College)

“Dancing at this level is the result of many years of dedication to training and single-minded determination.

"Both Ellie and Grace have worked extremely hard and to be on the stage with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a true testament to their efforts.

Glasgow Times: Grace DigginesGrace Diggines (Image: Glasgow Clyde College)

"We are thrilled to be able to watch them alongside the amazing Ailey dancers and will be beaming with pride from the audience.”