A 'mischievous' teenager who taught himself how to dance in his bedroom has become one of the youngest to be accepted into a top London dance school.

Nic Lee, from Ashton, said he was a "bad kid" who used to "get into mischief" before he fell in love with dance.

The 17-year-old student who spent his days in lockdown teaching himself how to dance in his bedroom has been offered a place at London Contemporary Dance School.

Nic will leave Clarendon Sixth Form College early to start on the prestigious three-year course that will prepare him for life as a professional dancer.

He is also one of the youngest to be accepted onto the course but unlike many of the other young aspiring dancers across the country who passed the highly competitive audition process, Nic said his childhood was far from a privileged one.

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Instead of attending private lessons in ballet, tap and modern dance, the student said he had no real hobbies other than "singing a bit of karaoke at home" and that he used to "get into mischief".

Nic describes his younger self as a "bad kid" up until he reached Year 9 at Wright Robinson College in Gorton when a local contemporary dance group visited the school.

The Oldham Times: Company Chameleon said it was impressed with Nic's dancing skillsCompany Chameleon said it was impressed with Nic's dancing skills (Image: Company Chameleon)

The then 14-year-old said he was impressed by the group, called Company Chameleon, and spoke to the workshop leaders.

Leaders Juliana Fapohunda and Amber Calland then encouraged Nic to audition for their young people's dance company, Chameleon Youth.

Though with no parental support and no money to pay the £100 a year fee, Nic missed the deadline and the following year, the country was plunged into lockdown which cancelled all the classes.

But when Company Chameleon's Saturday morning session for young people moved onto Zoom, the youngster was able to take part and said the online group sessions reignited his passion for dance.

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Nic then spent three to four hours teaching himself by imitating footage of other dancers and by completing HIIT and yoga workouts he found for free on YouTube to build his strength and stamina.

Once Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, the teen auditioned for Chameleon Youth and bagged himself a place where he has gone to perform at The Lowry, New Adelphi Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

The student has also performed at festivals, including the Manchester Day Parade, Green Space Dark Skise and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London.

The Oldham Times: The teen said he was shocked to be accepted on the prestigious course The teen said he was shocked to be accepted on the prestigious course (Image: Company Chameleon)

Dancing with the youth group opened the door to many more opportunities and auditions and Nic has taken part in a national tour with other young dancers.

Reflecting on his new placement, Nic said: "The timing of me getting my place couldn't have been more perfect and it feels like everything's come full circle.

"Amazingly, I was on work experience at Company Chameleon when I got an email saying I'd passed my audition and interview.

"I was totally in shock as I didn't think I did that well - and for a 17-year-old to get in is pretty rare."

He said it was "perfect" to share the moment with his coaches who helped him along his dance journey to get him into the position he's in.

The teen added: "I was already doing a dance GCSE before I joined, but I would never have been dancing at the high level needed to get into London Contemporary Dance School, and I wouldn't have known about other opportunities.

"Some of my older friends from Chameleon Youth are already at London Contemporary Dance School and it is an absolute dream come true to be able to go and join them."

Sam Broadbent, the learning and participation manager at Company Chameleon, said Nic was an "amazing mover" and "so confident and mature, even at 14".

"We are over the moon that Nic was eventually able to join us and being able to support him over the last few years with dance school applications and auditions has been our absolute pleasure.

"Nic very much deserves his place in London and we are excited to follow his progress and see what happens next.

"We are expecting big things", he added.

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