Peebles dancer takes the floor and lands hat-trick of firsts in debut

Erica, aged nine and a pupil at Peebles-based Fiona Henderson School of Dance, was performing at the annual ‘Dance, Compete, Achieve’ competition held at Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre.

The event, held over two days, attracts hundreds of dancers from around Scotland.

Erica, who takes dance classes in ballet, tap, modern and jazz and Highland, achieved a 100% success rate in all three classes she entered – ballet, tap and modern.

Teacher Fiona Henderson, who also travelled to the Granite City, said: “I was so proud of how Erica took everything in her stride.”

Fiona added: “She was composed and calm throughout, despite the different stage, theatre environment and the pressure of being assessed by two industry judges.

“To come away with any medal placing in even one dance would have been a great achievement, so we were blown away with her results of three first placings.”

Imogen Smith, another Fiona Henderson school dancer who was competing at the Aberdeen event, came away with strong medal placings of seconds and thirds. It was her first time performing at advanced level which she has just been promoted to, given her impressive track record of success at lower levels.

z Erica Munnis pictured with the trophies she won.