Beatrice Wolfendenhas, a pupil at Kingswood Prep School in Bath, has been crowned the World Irish Dance Association Under 9 British Champion.
Beatrice has been Irish Dancing since she was five years old and trains four nights a week with Stuart Irish Dance in Bristol. She moved up the levels very quickly and within 18 months of competing she was dancing at the highest level possible. She Is currently ranked fourth in the world and has qualified for the World Championships 2025, which are due to be held in Belgium.
She also attends extra workshops and has been selected to train with the cast of Riverdance for the last two years, as well as being asked to return to Ireland to train with them again next year. She explained that her greatest ambition is to one day be in the cast of Riverdance and perform on stage at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.
“Her father and I are so extremely proud of her,” said her mum Marie-Louise. “Her dedication, commitment, her passion and her drive – she misses parties and events because her focus is on dancing and improving and perfecting her dancing. She is determined to be in Riverdance one day – there is no plan B!
“We aren’t entirely sure where her dancing comes from as neither of us can dance, but she adores it and most importantly she is proud of herself becoming British Champion.”