Rotorua youth dancing his way to success (+video)

A Rotorua teenager has decided to leave school to dance his way into the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington.

John Paul College Year 11 student Saul Newport, 16, has been dancing since he was 6. He started as a jazz dancer but at the age of 11 decided he wanted a change.

"I wanted to try a new style and fell in love with classical ballet."

Saul has been accepted into the School of Dance and will be majoring in classical dance from February. He will live in the school's hostel with the other dancers but has aunties and uncles close by to support him.

He said his family had always been supportive of his dancing, even of him leaving school. Saul has completed NCEA level one and is finishing what will be his last year of school.

Saul Newport, 16,working towards his goal during oneof his training sessions. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The teenager currently practised 12 hours a week.

"I'm most looking forward to the challenge of dancing every single day. My dream is, and has always been, to dance for the Royal New Zealand Ballet."

He said he'd had the privilege of being on stage with them twice before as a child.

Saul's tutor, Anne Samson, who runs the Anne Samson School of Ballet said he was a passionate, humble young man with an amazing work ethic.

"I have great faith that he will succeed; he lives and breathes dance in every waking moment."