A 21-YEAR-OLD ballet dancer from Co Derry has secured a sought-after contract with a US dance company.
Ruaidhri Maguire from Moneymore will work with the prestigious Milwaukee Ballet II - making him one of only a handful of professional male ballet dancers from Northern Ireland.
After moving to London at the age of 18 he has spent the last three years studying at the renowned Central School of Ballet.
Ruaidhri has been dancing since the age of nine, first with teacher Roberta McCormick at her classes in Dungannon and Ballymena, then with Laura Walker in Belfast.
A seasoned stage performer, he frequently appeared in pantomimes at the Grand Opera House as a child.
The former Methodist College Belfast pupil said last night he is thrilled to begin his professional career .
"My family were Irish dancers and Irish traditional musicians, but I was always into classical music," he said.
"I have been playing piano since I was four."
He said his mother and brother Martin have been hugely supportive of his dream.
"It's their support that has driven me on," he said. "I'm doing it for myself and my family."
The dancer, who is due to complete a five-month tour of Britain with the Central School of Ballet's touring company, has worked with world-famous choreographers Christopher Bruce and Christopher Hampson.
"It's always been a dream of mine to live and dance in America and I'm so happy that upon graduating my first job will be in the States," he said.
"I can't wait to work with the company as the ballet masters at Milwaukee Ballet II have trained at all the major dance schools around the world."
Ruaidhri hopes to raise money to help him fund his move to the US.
"I have everything in place," he said. "But before I can live there I have to prove that I have enough money to make the move," he said.
"I'm hoping to move over on August 20. I actually need to move home from London for a month first and then decide what to take to the US."
Sara Matthews, director of Central School of Ballet, said she was delighted by Ruaidhri's achievement.
"This is an excellent opportunity for Ruaidhri, a very talented student and we will follow his progress with interest," she said.
Donations to help Ruaidhri move to the US can be made at www.gofundme.com/wm8j9k
