Chance of a lifetime for dancer Ella

DANCE TO THE TOP: Ella Phillips, Masterton, will be dancing in the 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Westpac Stadium.

The chance to appear in one of the world's most celebrated cultural festivals was "the best Christmas present ever" for Masterton teen Ella Phillips.

Ella, a competitive Highland dancer, was selected to perform in the 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held at Westpac Stadium next month.

The Tattoo features about 1200 performers and is considered one of the foremost spectacles of Scottish dance and music and military precision.

Ella, a Year 9 student at Solway College, will be one of the youngest in a crew of 65 Highland dancers, from Scotland and all over New Zealand, performing at the Tattoo -- and is the only Wairarapa dancer in the line-up.

Preparing for such an esteemed event is a gruelling task, with Ella hard at work bringing her fitness up to scratch, and mum Jenny saving every penny for her costuming and dietary requirements.

Neverthless, says Ella, "it's the next level of amazingness".

"My dance teacher said to me one day, 'Ella, can I ask you something?' and asked if me I wanted to be in the Tattoo.

"Going home, I actually screamed 'I'm in the Tattoo!' out the car window."

"I'd just got her a really good Christmas present, but I don't think any present could top that," Jenny added.

"She's a small-town girl living the dream."

Ella started learning Highland dancing at age six while living in Australia -- and it was, says Jenny, "love at first step".

Returning to Wairarapa, she started taking classes with Scoti Dance in Wellington every Saturday.

She has competed in both New Zealand and Australian championships, danced at the annual Turakina Highland Games and regularly performs at rest homes.

But the Tattoo will be her biggest challenge yet -- with most of her holiday spent committing the intricate choreography to memory, and gearing up for the 12-hour rehearsals ahead of opening night.

"It's really strict -- it's more about military style than dancing," Ella said.

"If we're in pain, we just have to suck it up and keeping going. I'm not that fit, so I'm practicing heaps."

Also daunting are the associated costs, with Ella needing three pairs of dance shoes, hair and makeup supplies, a suit carrier and very specific warm-up gear.

"For example, they practice in long white socks, and no other type -- you don't question it," Jenny said.

Even Ella's training diet is pricey, with high-protein foods and imported protein powder needed to boost her energy.

"I can't just get her Maccas on the way home, because she needs something to sustain her," Jenny said.

"It's hard when you're a single Mum, but I don't want Ella to miss out -- this is once in a lifetime."

Ella said she is nervous about performing in front of thousands, but predicts the adrenaline will kick in.

"It's huge, and I'm going to have to prove myself -- but it'll be so much fun."