AFTER scooping the pool in several events at the Hamilton Eisteddfod this week, Hamilton dancer, 15-year-old, Mia Spong, has landed a scholarship with a place in the 2025 Australian Ballet Summer School in Melbourne.

The classical jazz dancer said she was quite surprised to learn she had been selected for the scholarship.

“I was in quite a bit of shock,” she said.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all.

“But it’s a special opportunity.”

Mia began dance classes at age three and also performs in contemporary acro; contemporary acro being a fusion of styles that encompasses elements of contemporary, ballet, and hip hop with an acrobatic flare.

She said she enjoys performing having also competed in Mt Gambier, Warrnambool and Ararat.

“The Hamilton Eisteddfod is probably my favourite Eisteddfod to do because obviously it’s in my hometown,” Mia said.

“I love performing quite a lot.”

An all-rounder, Mia also regularly plays sports including running, playing netball, and cricket in summer.

She is presently working towards her VCE in dance.

“I’ve been looking at going into some pre-professional programs as dance has been such a big part of my life for quite a long time,” she said.

“I would like to go into the professional world.”

Mia has also been a student dance teacher assisting her teacher, Miss Kylie (Lewis) with the younger dancers.

“Teaching is definitely one of my passions,” she said.

However, she likes to branch out in other creative ways as well.

“I like doing costume designs to wear on stage,” Mia said.

She said she was really excited about the scholarship and was especially looking forward to working with teachers, learning new things and improving her technique.

“It’s such a special thing to go down to the Australian Ballet and to have the opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers in the world,” she said.

Mia paid tribute to her dance teachers and said, “I couldn’t have done it without them”.