A HEATH End schoolgirl recently lived out her dream after being selected to feature in the English Youth Ballet’s production of The Sleeping Beauty.

Ashlye Gambill, 11, who lives in Ewshot found out she had been selected for the performance in July after English Youth Ballet held a big, “intense” audition for the production, with nearly 300 young hopeful dancers turning up to the two auditions.

Despite an atmosphere of nerves and excitement filling the room, Ashlye was one of the successful 100 in claiming her place in MBE Janet Lewis’ award-winning company for the production in Oxford.

Ashlye’s performance in the production came on October 7 and 8/ “It went really well, there were no mistakes. It was fabulous,” she said.

“I’m really happy, none of us were nervous, it was just excitement. There were butterflies, but it was good butterflies.”

One of the highlights of the performance was the chance to work with the ‘principals’, dancers at the highest rank within the professional ballet company.

Ashlye described it as an invaluable experience.

“Their dancing was flawless, and they were really nice to work with. They were kind to others and if you ever did anything wrong or couldn’t do something they’d always suggest an alternative and look on the bright side.”

English Youth Ballet is one of the UK’s largest ballet companies and its’ Sleeping Beauty production was updated from the original production and set in the year 1896.

The Ewshot ballet star, who starred in Annie Jr in the West End last year, said: “I started ballet when I was five or six, I have always loved to dance.”

The 11 year old, who recently started at Heath End, also attends Frogmore Dance School three times a week and is dreaming of a career in dance.

“My long-term goal is aiming to be in Matilda and in the West End more.”

Ashlye moved to the UK three years ago from California with her family, and her mother Roxanne was beaming with pride at her daughter’s latest achievements.

Describing the moment Ashlye went out on stage, Mrs Gambill said: “It was a real proud mum moment. It was like a dream watching her on stage.

“Just seeing her hard work pay off in the end, I’m so proud of Ashlye.

“It was an amazing journey and I am grateful that I got to go on this journey with her.”

Ashlye’s next performances include a dance festival at the end of October, an appearance in Monty Python’s Spamelot in February and a spot in Bugsy Malone in May.