A six-year-old national ballroom dancing champion, who is already competing against people twice her age, says she dreams of one day competing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Amelia Rose Nelson from Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, has been dancing for as long as she could walk.
She is nicknamed ‘pocket rocket’ and participates in about 40 different dance tournaments a year, as well as a rigorous training schedule.
Amelia has already been crowned All-England Champion for four-year-olds and under-sixes champion at the English Open Solo Championship.
Her proud mother, Tanya, 40, said: ‘If there was music on, she would dance.’
Amelia Rose Nelson, from Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, has been dancing since she could walk
Star dancer Amelia is pictured with all her medals and trophies, at just six years old
“From a young age you could tell she could hear the music and follow the rhythm. I knew she was going to be something special.”
When Amelia was two, Tanya enrolled her in mother-toddler dance classes at the Karen Byron School of Dance, where three generations of her family have now trained.
At the age of four, Amelia began competing and dancing at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
She specializes in ballroom, Latin American and sequential dances and has won numerous awards and titles in the two years she has been competing.
The six-year-old girl is keen to take part in Strictly Come Dancing when she’s older and is a fan of professional dancer Amy Dowden.
In reference to the ongoing scandal currently plaguing the TV show, Tanya said that ballroom and Latin American dances are “difficult to do and learn.” She added: “But if there’s violence and people getting kicked, then I don’t think professionals should be teaching.”
However, she is not worried about the heavy demands that come with a dance education.
She said, “I like that Amelia has discipline. I like how she’s encouraged to be the best she can be.”
Amelia competes in under-12 tournaments and consistently reaches the finals with dancers twice her age
Nicknamed “Pocket Rocket,” she competes in about 40 different dance tournaments a year and has a grueling training schedule.
Every week Amelia takes four and a half hours of dance lessons, two and a half hours of private lessons and another two hours of group lessons.
The ‘pocket rocket’ (pictured in competition) is a perfectionist and she loves to win competitions
‘I also love how her dance teachers do this and at the same time make her believe in herself, build her confidence and be the best version of herself, while also having so much fun learning.
“I think that’s how it should be, regardless of your age.”
Amelia also won the titles of ‘Champion of Champions under eight’ and ‘Champions of Tomorrow under eight’.
Tanya, who works as a carer, said: ‘She is unstoppable. She is so passionate and she would live in a dance studio if we gave her the chance.’
“When she doesn’t win a game, she’s so mad at herself. She’s so competitive and loves to win.”
Amelia competes in tournaments for children under 12 and consistently reaches the finals, together with dancers twice her age.
Amelia started competing at the age of four – and has even danced at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom
The six-year-old would love to take part in Strictly Come Dancing when she’s older and is a fan of professional dancer Amy Dowden
Amelia is pictured in a yellow dress next to her dance partner in a competition
When Amelia was two, Tanya enrolled her in mother-toddler classes at the Karen Byron School of Dance, where three generations of her family have now trained
Tanya said: ‘She’s been on for the last nine weekends in a row. We’ve got three weekends off now and she’s furious.’
“She’s just so determined — her nickname, which she got from another dance mom, is ‘pocket rocket.’
“You might think, ‘Oh, she’s only six,’ but she’s just unstoppable.”
Amelia takes four and a half hours of dance lessons every week, of which two and a half hours are private lessons and another two hours are group lessons.
Tanya said: ‘She has so many friends from other dance schools. I like that. She competes with others, but they are all friends and it’s a very supportive environment.
“It’s such an amazing experience for her.
‘In the future, I can’t imagine Amelia not having anything to do with dance – I think she’ll eventually become quite famous. She’s very special.’
