A DELIGHTED dancing duo are proving to have real ‘Girl Power’ after earning a place at the same performing arts school as one of the Spice Girls.

The Gaztte reports Gemma Lilley and Laura Allan were offered a place at the renowned Bird College of Dance, Music and Theatre Performance, which boasts many famous alumni, including Melanie Chisholm, ‘Sporty Spice.’

The pair, from Johnstone and Paisley, impressed during spring auditions in London just after graduating from Glasgow Clyde College’s Dance Studio Scotland.

Now, after competing among hundreds of other aspiring dancers in auditions, the pair will enrol on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre course at Bird College.

For 19-year-old Gemma, from Glenburn in Paisley, starting at Bird will represent the final step in an educational journey that began at Gillian Whyte’s Dans-scene Company in Kilbarchan when she was aged eight.

“When I was set to leave Dans-scene at 17, one of my dance teachers there worked at Dance Studio Scotland and encouraged me to audition there in order to take my next step in achieving my ambition of becoming a professional dancer,” said Gemma, a former Castlehead High School pupil.

“I nearly cried when I found out I had been accepted at Bird College. I knew I wanted to go there from when I was 10 years old, as lots of people I knew had gone there and then been successful. I auditioned at the end of March and was accepted a few weeks later. I’d received offers from two other schools before but decided to hold out for Bird.”

Meanwhile, Laura, a 20-year-old former Johnstone High School pupil from Elderslie, has similarly achieved a long-held ambition of winning a place at Bird College.

“My time at Dance Studio Scotland in Glasgow Clyde College has set me up well for making it into a top London college,” said Laura, who attended J&D School of Dance in Johnstone aged 6-18. “I always wanted to dance and knew I had to train hard and with the right people in order to get to London.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I enrolled on the course. The staff are great but strict, and that kind of environment sets you up well for life and the theatre industry. I have loved everything about the course and appreciate that we learned about teaching skills, which set you up to teach if you don’t go into performing.

“I auditioned for three difference schools and was offered places at all of them at the end of May. It was an amazing feeling to receive the offers, and I knew that I wanted to go to Bird College.”

The girls will move to London in the coming weeks and share accommodation in Sidcup, south-east London, near their new place of study.

“I’m looking forward to learning lots of difference styles of dance and being pushed even further,” said Gemma. “I still live at home just now but can’t wait to move. Eventually, I’d love to do the West End and cruise ship work, to see the world.”

Laura added: “I went to see West End shows with my mum when I was younger, productions like Mamma Mia and The Lion King. Now, I’m very excited at the prospect of going to London to study, being able to train every day. It will be hard but rewarding, and I’ll be surrounded by people who have the same passion for dance as I do. Everyone wants to get to the West End, but, as long as I’m dancing, I’ll be happy.”

Maxine Railton, senior lecturer at Dance Studio Scotland at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “We are delighted to have been instrumental in the training of both of these very talented young women and are so proud of Gemma and Laura for achieving places at Bird College. We are confident they will continue to develop their undoubted potential and promise and look forward to seeing what the future holds for them.”

The award-winning Dance Studio Scotland is based in the fantastic purpose built facility at Glasgow Clyde College. Equipped with 3 large studios and a multi-gym, it offers a thorough and disciplined 4 year training which prepares students for a variety of careers in the dance industry. The distinguished international teaching faculty have extensive performing, choreographic and teaching experience.