A YOUNG dance enthusiast who was offered a place at a top performing-arts school is hoping the public will help him achieve his dreams.

Dance teacher and college student Aiden Page was not eligible for a student loan and cannot afford the course’s £9,000 tuition fees.

So the 18-year-old has set up a fundraising page asking for donations so he can go to the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and kick-start his career as a professional dance teacher.

The teenager from Dorcan was coming to the end of seven weeks of auditions when he auditioned for LIPA’s Foundation Certificate in Commercial Dance.

He said: “LIPA was my last hope so I gave it my all, then they emailed me last Tuesday telling me I’d been offered one of the 22 places on the course. It was crazy, I couldn’t believe it, I rang my mum and dad and we all had a little cry.

“I felt like all my hard work had paid off, my dream of working in the industry was starting to actually happen. When employers see LIPA on your CV they’re wowed, so to train there would be great.”

He’s currently brainstorming ideas for fundraising events while enjoying the unexpected reactions to his good news.

He said: “My friends are a bit sad that I have to leave them for a year but everyone’s been really supportive. Old friends that I haven’t seen since primary school have messaged me and congratulated me, it’s really special.”

Aiden started dancing when he was 10, watching YouTube videos to teach himself choreography. and practicing in the dance studio at The Dorcan Academy after hours when a teacher suggested that he should have lessons.

“My dance teachers Mrs Brown and Miss Sutton took me under their wing, they gave me tips and lessons and I started dancing more and more.

“My goal is to dance to inspire. What I love about dance is there’s always more to learn. When I watch people dance, I get new ideas from how they move and I want to have that effect on people with my teaching, to inspire them to be creative.”

Aiden is currently in his second year at New College Swindon studying for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance while teaching contemporary dance at Stage Starz.

Aiden’s reached £120 of his £16,000 goal for tuition fees and living costs for the one-year course starting in September.

He said: “I’m really grateful for whatever people can give. The £9,000 to actually get on the course is most important, I can worry about the rest afterwards and take it step by step.”

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/ypr2k-get-me-to-lipa