\Whangarei schoolgirl Inge Carolus is one step closer to becoming a prima ballerina after making the final of the Genée Dance Challenge, also known as the "Olympics" of ballet.
The Genée Dance Challenge and the Genée International Ballet Competition finals will be held at the St James Theatre in Wellington in December.
It is the first year the international competition has been held in New Zealand. It is open to all Royal Academy of Dance students up to 17 years of age who are studying with an RAD Registered teacher.
Inge travels an hour to classes with Liz Russell at the Northern Dance Academy in Kerikeri every week.
Recent wins at the North Shore, Northland and West Auckland regional competitions have qualified her to perform at the Genée event before she moves to Australia next year to attend ballet school.
