A West Kilbride dancer is bouncing back from serious injury during the pandemic to start her own classes in the village.

Nadia Anderson, 24, has been Highland dancing for almost two decades, and completed her teacher’s exams earlier this year.

The talented dancer, who studies at the Royal Conservatoire, was hooked while watching a performance at the village’s gala day and has danced at the OVO Hydro and World Championship.

Nadia admits she always wanted to teach the skill to others, but feared her dancing career was over after a serious injury during the first lockdown.

She explained: “I actually put off sitting my teaching exam after I tore the ligaments around my ankles in the first week into lockdown and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to run again let alone dance.

“I knew it was going to be a massive undertaking but I just felt as I’d come so far that I couldn’t finish dancing without having something to show for it.

“I was at work in Glasgow when my results came and my mum had to open them for me over the phone which was quite nice actually.

“She had to share in most of my tears and stress on the lead up to the exam, but I was so relieved when I found out I had passed.”

Nadia is starting Highland dancing classes for adults in the village, who she believes do not have access to dance as much as others.

She said: “I feel like Highland dancing is often something that you start when you’re very young and then instantly begin to compete, or your parents danced and it’s been passed down.

“Highland Dancing should be something that we all have an appreciation for in Scotland as it’s so challenging, but opening that style to an older calibre isn’t often offered in other schools.

“There’s no reason why anyone can’t have a go, and we’ll be focusing on fitness and enjoyment, adapting if we need to and listening to our bodies.”

Nadia admits she has future ambitions to open her own dance school, where she can pass on her skills to the younger generation.

She added: “I’m not sure where I’m going to be in the next few years as I’m only 24, so wanted to focus on bringing a new sport to the village without making any commitments to a children’s class.

“Going forward the idea of passing down my wealth of knowledge to the next generation is definitely something I want to be a part of in the future, wherever I end up.”

Nadia’s adult class will take place on a Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm in West Kilbride Village Hall and is open to anyone aged 16+.