East Lothian dancers compete on international stage

Cockenzie dance school Dannsa Gu Bráth took its team to three international championships and came home adorned with medals.

East Lothian dancers Ellie Kilfedder, 14, and Alex Anderson, 13, were also crowned champions.

Owner Chloe McClean said: “Both girls have been a joy to work with and teach.”

Six dancers first travelled to North Carolina to compete in the Mountain Highland Games from July 12 to 14.  

Across the weekend, the team saw success in the solo, duet, group and choreography categories.

Ellie, who lives in Tranent and attends Broughton High School in Edinburgh, where she was awarded a place due to her dancing abilities, won the title of International Atlantic Champion.

The following weekend, the dancers competed in Boston at the United States Inter Regional Championship.

In the choreography category, Ellie and Alex both placed first in their age division, and Dannsa Gu Bráth’s group dance Scotland is a Home came fifth overall against 13 other schools.

The team then headed to Northern Ireland to compete in the Emerald Isle Championships.

Following another weekend of success on stage, Alex Anderson, from Prestonpans, was crowned as Emerald Isle Champion.

READ MORE: Prestonpans Highland dancer takes to the world stage

On Friday, both girls competed in the East of Scotland Championships, where they aimed to qualify to be part of a team of six to represent their area at the 2025 Scottish Area Finals.

Every area competes against one another to rank the top areas in Scotland and this year the Lothians won second overall.

Ellie and Alex were both successful and secured the two available spots in the 12-under-16 age category, and will compete with the Lothian team at next year's finals.

The dancers are trained by teachers Chloe and Lewis at the studio in Cockenzie, and they compete throughout the year.

Chloe added: "We look forward to travelling to Oban next May to represent the Lothian area."