Dunedin Highland dancer Serena Sangster (19) is set to realise a lifelong dream by performing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The second-year University of Otago student was one of 50 Highland dancers invited to perform alongside the world's best marching bands and cultural groups at the tattoo at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
"I'm really excited.''
In Wellington, she would train for three days with the group and then perform over four nights from February 18 next year.
The New Zealand dancers would be joined by 20 of Scotland's best Highland dancers to perform with the pipe band.
"It will be such a great atmosphere.''
Miss Sangster began Highland dancing as a 4-year-old in Dunedin, following in the footsteps of her older sister Rosa Sangster (21).
Rosa was invited to perform in Wellington but had to decline because it clashed with her first week at work in a new job in Dunedin, Serena said.
As a girl, Serena dreamed of performing at the tattoo.
"Growing up, it was one of those things that I really, really wanted to do. I really want to grasp this opportunity.''
Last year, Serena passed the Solo Seal - the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing's highest performance award.
She was the youngest dancer to receive the award.
The former Otago Girls' High School pupil hoped young people would attend the tattoo and be inspired to start Highland dancing.
"Highland dancing has taught me so much in life - to persevere and it's given me stage confidence.''
Other Southern Highland dancers set to perform in Wellington are Tannah McLay (19) and Kate Potter(16), both of Oamaru, and Eve Levitt (18), of Garston.
Southern musicians performing with the New Zealand Army Band at the tattoo are Stu MacFarlane (45), of Dunedin, on percussion, and Invercargill brothers Ross Yorkstone (25), on cornet, and Andrew Yorkstone (23), on trombone.
