Ballymena girls to dance in India

Ballymena dancers Nicole Wray and Natalie Boyd who are preparing to perform in India. (Submitted picture)

The girls, who are members of Ballymena Dance Academy, have had a year to remember

and agree they owe their success to Kara McCartney’s dance training and encouragement.

Natalie and Nicole have taken part in dance festivals across Northern Ireland and have had success in solos, duets, trios and groups. This year they both qualified in the NI Dance Championships and between them took first and third place in the solo section of their age group as well as first place in the duet.

The same day as the Championships, the pair rushed to Belfast to audition as dancers for

Toccata Musical Productions for Charitable Causes and, following their success, are now preparing for performances across India where a audience of 5000 is expected at a concert in Bangalore alone.

Natalie and Nicole can’t wait to be part of the Toccata dance crew and while they may not be looking forward to getting the necessary vaccinations to go to India, they are overwhelmed to have such an opportunity.

“It is great to be able to do something we love, knowing that it is for such a worthy cause,” they say.

“Toccata” is a non-profit organization and proceeds from their productions are channeled entirely to their partner charities all over the world.

Natalie and Nicole are now fundraising to help pay for their flights to India - by means of holding a Cow Pat Challenge!

Their thanks go to Kara McCartney for permitting them to fundraise at Ballymena Dance Academy studio and also to their schools, Ballymena Academy and Cambridge House Grammar School for their support.