WITH their pointe work perfected, young Scottish dancers are stepping into the spotlight this weekend for the finals of a major competition.
With 58 dancers from 14 countries taking part in the Genee, the stakes are high. It is one of the world's most prestigious and career-defining ballet competitions and it is the first time the Royal Academy of Dance competition has taken place in Scotland since it began in 1931.
Ahead of the final on Sunday at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, the dancers have been put through their paces in an intensive week of training sessions with guest choreographers.
Judges include Royal Ballet director Kevin O'Hare, Scottish Ballet artistic director Christopher Hampson and prima ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell.
"It's such an honour to have the competition here," said 16-year-old Gemma Clark from Kilmarnock, one of five Scots taking part. "It's not just the judges you have to impress, you don't know who's going to be in the audience looking out for talent."
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