Dancer step closer to dream

BLOOMING: Local ballerina Tayla-Rose Frisby's dancing aspirations are being fulfilled thanks to the support of her community. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR.

Up and coming ballerina Tayla-Rose Frisby is one step closer to achieving her dancing dreams and has more than just her natural talent to thank.

At 13 years old the Napier dancer made the papers last year after she was accepted as an associate scholar with New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington.

Almost one year on and Tayla-Rose's new life in Wellington has been immensely supported by both her family and the extended community of Hawke's Bay.

Tayla-Rose's mother, Melanie Frisby, said fundraising efforts had helped pay for her child's dancing dreams.

"Financially it's hard but that's like any sportsperson and like any parent you just drive to make your children's dreams come true. You do what you can and close family support is paramount," she said.

Now living with her aunty, Mary Graham, former Napier Girls' High School student Tayla-Rose attends Wellington's Onslow College and has been afforded the opportunity to be a dance student at the Wellington Dance and Performing Arts Academy.

She is also taking private lessons with former Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer Kerry-Ann Gilbert.

"It's been amazing. [Last] year's been absolutely exciting and a new experience. I've really enjoyed it," Tayla-Rose said.

The talented dancer paid tribute her to her "absolutely amazing" Wellington dance teacher and parents for the new chapter in her dancing career.

"She [Ms Gilbert] has been such a good support and I've gathered so much. I'm also so grateful that my parents let me move and I'm grateful for the support," she said.

At the end of this year Tayla-Rose will audition for The New Zealand School of Dance.

Her ambitious dreams sprouted at a young age when she began watching the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Napier performances.

"Anyone that knows Tayla-Rose knows she's always loved to dance," her mother said. Mrs Frisby said the Napier Port, Sileni Estates and Tayla-Rose's friends and family are to thank for helping Tayla-Rose's dreams come true.

"It has been her dream since she was about 10 years old to dance fulltime," Mrs Frisby said.

Tayla-Rose said her move to Wellington has "definitely" meant more work for her as a dancer but that this work has been good for her goals.

"It's quite tiring but I just love it," she said.