A LOCAL teenager has been selected to be part of a unique dance team that will be representing Northern Ireland at an international dance event next year in the United States.
Lauren Cluskey (14), from the Clonvaraghan area, is a pupil at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch.
Lauren was selected to be a part of the 18-member Elite Dance Team NI, which will be representing Northern Ireland at Dance Excellence, a premiere dance convention and event in Los Angeles, California, for a week in April 2025.
The dancers on the Elite Dance Team NI were selected in May from nine different dance schools across the province after auditions were conducted in April.
“I am so excited to represent Northern Ireland at Dance Excellence,” Lauren said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to train with dancers from all over the world and with some of the best teachers.
“It really is a dream come true and I feel honoured to be given the chance to participate and represent the dance community in Northern Ireland,” she said.
A spokesperson for Elite Dance Team NI said that this will be an “unbelievable opportunity” for the young dancers taking part.
“Dance Excellence is an international festival for young dancers, bringing together the finest dancers and studios from all over the world. Each year there are around 31 countries and four continents that are represented,” the spokesperson said.
During this dance conference and experience, the Elite Dance Team NI will get to perform on stage at Universal Studios Hollywood’s CityWalk, take part in a dance showcase and take masterclasses with top dance teachers and choreographers.
Ryan Moffett, co-founder of Uplift Performing Arts in Carrickfergus, is one of the dance coaches involved with Elite Dance Team NI.
“It is with immense pride that we have been invited to represent Northern Ireland at Dance Excellence in 2025. This is a prestigious event and selection is by personal invite from Dance Excellence in honour of dedication to dance, performance and arts education,” he said.
The Elite Dance Team NI members have already begun training and learning their dances for the trip.
“There are dancers in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro. Lauren’s main style is street dance,” Christina Cluskey, Lauren’s mother, explained.
In addition to the Elite Dance Team NI, Lauren is a dancer with Ajendance NI, based in Belfast.
“Lauren has been dancing for seven years now, travelling from home in Clonvaraghan to Belfast for classes every week. She also competes throughout the year up and down the country,” Christina added.
When Lauren is not dancing, she continues to stay active by playing U-14 camogie and football for Liatroim and is a part of the Down U-14 camogie squad.
Christina said her daughter is delighted to have been selected for this special dance team and event in the USA.
“This is a dream come true for Lauren who has worked so hard to get to the level of dance she is at. It is an opportunity for her to train with dancers from countries all over the world and with some of the best teachers in the business.
“It is indeed recognition for her hard work and talent,” she said.
Before they are able to attend though, Lauren and her fellow dancers must raise the money for their trip.
Lauren and the other Team NI dancers will be doing some showcase and performance events to raise money to meet their financial goals.
They will also be doing some fundraising of their own to cover the costs.
Lauren has to raise £6,500 towards her portion of the cost.
“It’s so costly because Lauren has to bring an adult to accompany her as she’s under 15,” Lauren’s mum said.
Lauren’s first individual fundraising event is going to be a sponsored ‘Dance Up Donard’ at the end of August.
Lauren plans to climb and dance up Slieve Donard on the 29th of August to raise money for the trip.
Anyone interested in sponsoring her can do so through her GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/laurens-donard-climb-for-dance-excellence-la-2025.
Christina said that any and all donations are appreciated to help Lauren reach her goals.
“We would appreciate any sponsorship and would love to gain sponsorship from local businesses to give her this incredible opportunity,” she said.
