A DANCER from Chellaston has become the first girl to win a special performing arts scholarship in remembrance of the Miners' Strike.
Bethany Unwin, 16, has been studying at AEDA, The Arts Academy, in Nottingham, since January.
The school is run by Carmen Shaw who launched the Ernest B Shaw Scholarships in memory of her grandfather, who was a miner.
The bursaries are offered to one male and one female each year. They must come from a mining background or community.
They were introduced to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1984-85 strike.
Bethany, whose grandfather was a coal miner, has now been rewarded with financial help, allowing her to take on a two-year performing arts professional programme that begins next Monday.
She said: "I really can't wait to start and be doing something I love every day.
"From Monday to Friday, I will be at classes from 9am to 5pm or 7pm. Then, on Saturday, I will be back doing other classes that aren't part of the program.
"I used to be sitting in maths class and I would be bored out my brain, but this is going to be amazing."
On top of her dance commitments, Bethany is also studying A-levels in dance and English literature.
She said: "It is going to be non-stop for the next two years, but it's such an incredible opportunity.
"The course would have cost £6,000. Without the scholarship, I don't think we'd have been able to afford it."
The awards are made to candidates demonstrating outstanding talent and ability in either classical dance or musical theatre.
Bethany has been awarded the scholarship to a course which includes vocational training in the arts with continued A-level studies.
Bethany will be taught by the AEDA faculty which includes Bolshoi ballet trained master Gabor Menich, musical direction from vocal coach Jon Orton and the opportunity to experience work with professional companies.
Carmen, a former ballerina, set up AEDA in September last year.
She said: "Bethany was awarded the scholarship because of her exceptional ability and potential."
Bethany hopes the course will pave the way for a career as a professional dancer.
She said: "My favourite style would have to be ballet. When I perform, it just feels right.
"I would love to get an apprenticeship with a company and work my way up, but those types of jobs don't come up very often so we'll just have to see what happens."
