Lyndsey Arorash might one day see her name in lights.

She’s in New York City at the moment, one of 70 dancers hand-selected to join the renowned Joffrey Ballet School — 2000 people tried out.

The full-time programme is a stepping stone for the 16-year-old who hopes to one day become a professional dancer.

“I went into the audition in April with the intention of just getting into their summer intensive programme, not really focused on getting accepted into the school full-time,” she explained. “I guess that helped to take the pressure off.

“At first I was psyching myself out in my head and going through all the different scenarios, but it went really well. I just had to try my best and not worry about anyone else or what they thought. I realised I could do it as long as I believed in myself.”

Miss Arorash got her start with In Motion School of Dance at the age of eight. In New York, she’s participating in Joffrey’s advanced contemporary jazz trainee programme. She’ll continue her high school studies while there, following the curriculum she started with Mount Saint Agnes.

Neighbours who were dancers inspired her to slip on a tutu and pink ballet slippers.

“That’s pretty much what started it because I had nothing to do after school so I wanted to find something fun to do with my time. I realised I loved it from the first moment I got moving and after I made really close friends at In Motion it got even better.”

Her ultimate goal is to get accepted into a professional dance company overseas. But she also plans to become a choreographer or dance teacher and wouldn’t mind working as a background dancer for a superstar like Beyonce.

She’s accomplished what she has through sacrifice, focus and time management, Miss Arorash said.

“Some of my friends would go out every week to the movies or to each other’s houses but I have to say ‘No, sorry I have to dance’. That definitely impacted my social life,” she said. “I typically dance from the time I finish school at 3.30pm until 9pm or 9.30pm. Then after that I have to fit in my school work before going to bed.

“On Saturdays, it’s not much different. I’d be at dance practice from 8.30am until 5pm. So it’s like a full-time job six days a week. It takes a lot of dedication.”

Balancing her commitments became so tough she considered giving it up two years ago.

“There came a point when I felt like it was too much. I had a lot of work with school and felt really stressed when I had to go to dance.

“But when I took a step back from it all, I realised dance actually had a way of making it all better. It was a way to express myself and get out what I was feeling.

“I really couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

She doesn’t foresee her schedule easing up much while at Joffrey Ballet School. The teenager begins her school day at 8.30am and won’t finish until 7.30pm.

“Pursuing dance is very time-consuming,” she said, “but seeing all the accomplishments I’ve reached makes it all worth it.

“Seeing how much I have inspired younger girls and hearing about how the little children at dance look up to me means a lot to me. They tell me they want to be like me when they’re older. Some adults and older people tell me how much they enjoy watching me dance.”

Her advice to any young person looking to reach their goal is to stay positive and don’t doubt themselves.

“Just try your best in everything you do,” she said. “I would also say listen to what the teachers have to tell you in dance class because they have your best interest at heart. If you are given a correction it’s only because they are there to help you, not to put you down.”