IT is the stuff of dreams for every girl who ever put on a tutu and imagined starring in a production of Swan Lake.
Rebecca Croan, 22, from Leith, is to train under the expert stewardship of the world famous Bolshoi Ballet.
What makes it more remarkable is that the former Broughton High School pupil only started to learn to dance when she was 14.
Since then
her determination to become a world-class ballerina has taken her from Edinburgh to Oban and on to London, where she is studying at the prestigious Rambert Dance Company.
Ms Croan said: "I was 14 when I first started going to classes. Then I did it purely for the enjoyment. I just found that over time I enjoyed it more and more.
"I realised I had such a long way to go to catch up – most professional dancers start when they are about five.
"So I went to a school called Ballet West, in Oban, and trained there for three years. Then I moved down to London.
"I have had to make quite a lot of sacrifices – you give up all your free time, give up your social life – but it feels natural because it is what you want to do.
"Physically it's very demanding. You get aches and pains and injuries. It is draining emotionally as well."
She is presently in her third year of a BA (Hons) in ballet and contemporary dance, but her chance to take her education on to Moscow came about almost by chance.
Ms Croan, who has never been to Russia before, said: "I didn't really know much about it, but one of my friends suggested it.
"I thought I would try as the training is a lot better than here – more extreme – and sent in a DVD. I was really shocked when it was accepted.
"For me it is a huge privilege. It is such a world-renowned school and I'm really looking forward to it, although I'm a bit nervous.
"It will probably cost £10,000 for the ten months, with the fees, flights, shoes, etc, so I am hoping to get sponsorship, and I've applied for a Donald Dewar award."
She will train there for ten months, after which the Bolshoi will have the option of taking her on as a dancer.
While it is extremely rare for British students to be accepted at the school – Ms Croan may well be the first Scot – non-Russian dancers taking part in productions is unheard of.
Ms Croan said: "After training there I would like to join Scottish Ballet. It is my home company and it would be great to dance for it.
"Performing is what it is all about. It is so exciting to be up there on stage. I've always wanted to dance in Swan Lake."
Her mother Louise, 44, a midwife, from Shaw's Terrace in Leith, said: "We are very excited for her and very proud.
"She started late but she has been very determined and that's the reason why she's got so far."
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www.dewarawards.org•
www.scottishballet.co.uk•
www.rambert.org.uk•
www.BolshoiMoscow.com