Up and coming ballerina Tayla-Rose Frisby is one step closer to achieving her dancing dreams and has more than just her natural talent to thank.
At 13 years old the Napier dancer made the papers last year after she was accepted as an associate scholar with New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington.
Almost one year on and Tayla-Rose's new life in Wellington has been immensely supported by both her family and the extended community of Hawke's Bay.
Tayla-Rose's mother, Melanie Frisby, said fundraising efforts had helped pay for her child's dancing dreams.
"Financially it's hard but that's like any sportsperson and like any parent you just drive to make your children's dreams come true. You do what you can and close family support is paramount," she said.