Sam Brown: Dumbarton’s real life Billy Elliot wins place at top ballet school

At aged five Sam Brown, who attends Dancebase Academy in the town, was inspired to begin his dance journey after his dad showed him a clip of Gene Kelly’s song Singin’ in the Rain, from the 1952 musical of the same name.

However, ballet was not on the cards for Sam to start with.

His mum Amanda told the Reporter: “He started begging us for tap dance classes and we managed to find a class for boys.

Sam is a pupil at Dumbarton's Dancebase studio

“We told him he would have to do a little bit of ballet as part of the class and he was furious. I would say he threw the biggest temper tantrum of his life.

“But once he calmed down he was then convinced to dip his toes into ballet and said that he has found the passion that “soothes his soul”.”

It was at the age of seven when Sam realised there were schools to help him pursue his dream.

Amanda, 36, added: “He was the only boy in ballet and it never bothered him.

"He has always worked so hard and in every class he is so focused.

“It was then he knew he wanted to do this full-time and be properly trained. It has been a whirlwind of dance classes and auditions.”

Sam has been unable to go to the dance school during the pandemic lockdown – but that hasn’t stopped him keeping up with his classes, with his parents rearranging the living room of their home six days a week to ensure Covid wouldn’t stop him achieving his dream.

Amanda said: “Honestly my sofa has been out more times than me.”

Now 11 years old, Sam was invited earlier this year to take part in an audition for The Hammond School in Chester, which specialises in the performing arts.

And while he demonstrated his skills more in hope than expectation, Sam and his family were delighted when he won a place.

“On his birthday we received an email to say that they were so impressed by him and that they wanted to offer him the funding as well,” Amanda continued.

“We were over the moon. He has wanted this for so long.

"It is so rare for a child to pick his future at such a young age.”

And the good news didn’t stop there for the youngster – because little more than a week after receiving news of his Hammond School scholarship, Sam, who lives with his family in Drumchapel, was told he’d been chosen to attend an intensive five-day course at the Royal Ballet School in London this July.

Sam is also determined to encourage other young boys from a working class background who have a passion for ballet to follow their dreams.

On social media Dancebase Academy posted: “More fantastic news for Sam Brown who has now been offered a place at the Royal Ballet Summer School where he will spend five days at White Lodge before starting his new school in September.

“Congratulations. We are so proud of you Sam. Your hard work and determination has well and truly paid off!”

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