Young Belfast dancer ‘over the moon’ as she’s set to take part in prestigious ballet competition

Lilly will take part in the ballet competition in Brazil next month

A young dancer from Belfast is set to take part in a prestigious ballet competition.

The Royal Academy of Dance has announced that Lilly Burton will be taking part in the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil from October 11 to 19, 2025.

At this annual competition, young dancers from around the world will come together for a week of dance, to win competition prizes and scholarships.

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Lilly, who is 18, began dancing at the age of four and soon knew she wanted to become a professional dancer. At 16, she moved to England to train at Northern Ballet School where she completed her RAD exams.

Lilly is ‘excited and grateful’ to have the opportunity to take part in this year’s Fonteyn Competition in São Paulo.

She told Be: “I’m over the moon to be given the chance to take part in this years Fonteyn competition and being able to meet and work with many talented dancers from across the world.

“I’m also so excited to have the opportunity to be coached by some of the best professionals in the dance industry.”

A RAD statement said: “Named in honour of RAD’s longest-serving president, Dame Margot Fonteyn DBE, The Fonteyn is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus.

“Beginning in 1931, the competition has toured the globe and is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. A launch pad for a professional career, past winners have become professional dancers with companies worldwide and enjoyed long-lasting careers in the arts.”

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