Lucy dances round the eisteddfod

GRAFTON teen Lucy Ryder quite literally danced rings around the competition during the recent Grafton Dance Eisteddfod, taking out six first prizes and one second place.

The eisteddfod held earlier this month saw the 15-year-old McAuley Catholic College student take out the categories of ballet, demi-character, modern expressive along with the improv ballet and modern categories.

She also took-out first place in the ballet championships during the competition.

Lucy said she was thrilled to have gone so well.

"I was really overwhelmed - there was a lot of competition from all over the place," Lucy said.

"But it was really fun - I loved it."

Equally thrilled with Lucy's impressive haul at the eisteddfod was her mum Jenny, who said she was "incredibly" proud of her daughter.

Lucy said it was her mum who originally opened the door for her dancing and said at age five she'd nagged her until she enrolled her in lessons.

Apart from her Year 10 studies, Lucy said she also had her work cut out for her being part of the Brisbane City Youth Ballet. She said this year the company was putting on a production of the Wizard of Oz so she had to travel up to Brisbane often to rehearse.

Lucy who trains at the Clarence Valley Dance Academy said she now had her eyes set on making dancing her career.

"I think I'd like to get into ballet for a career but I don't really mind as long as I'm dancing," she said.

"I just love the challenge of it and how you're always having to strive to improve your ability."

Head to dailyexaminer.com.au for a gallery of photos from the Dance Eisteddfod.