By Ruth Dowds
KILLINCHY based dancer Eve Wilkins has set her long-term sights on Broadway after sweeping the boards at a recent dance competition.
The versatility of the 14 year-old Regent House pupil earned her seven first prizes across several dance genres at the Aaron Dwyer dance competition.
Her success at the Belfast competition, held in Stranmillis College, has earned Eve a place in the all-Ireland grand final in Dublin, set to take place in January 2026.
Eve’s proud mum Avril said she went to the competition and won everything that she had entered, as well as the overall award.
“It’s amazing for her because she has been dancing since she was six and she absolutely loves it,” said Avril.
“She is a very versatile dancer, which is one of her strengths. In this competition season she has been getting prizes for her ballet, her tap, her commercial and contemporary dance.”
Eve’s repertoire covers everything from West End style jazz performances to hip hop routines with a Britney Spears mash-up winning her the hip hop award at the Belfast competition.
Eve is a pupil at Amy B’s Dance Academy in Newtownards, attending studio classes there five days a week after school, as well as monthly half day intensive workshops with a teacher from England.
Earlier this year Eve and her mum attended the ‘Move It’ dance convention in London, the world’s largest dance event.
Eve attended workshops with many of her dance idols, amongst them Abby Lee Miller of Dance Moms fame, an American dance instructor, choreographer, studio owner, television personality and author.
Abby Lee selected Eve from two of her workshops of over 200 dancers and awarded her a private lesson and entry to the World Dance Pageant taking place in New York later this year.
The Big Apple is ultimately where Eve hopes her future will lie, with her ambitions focused on Broadway.
Says Avril: “She is very driven and always wants to know how to get somewhere, so I have no doubt that if she wants to dance in New York, she will find a way.
“She does love musical theatre and she also loves choreography, making up her own dances. Probably a career in choreography would have more longevity than that of a dancer and it is probably a natural progression.”
Amy Blackshaw, head of Amy B’s Dance Academy, praised Eve’s hard work and passion.
“Eve is a dream to teach,” she said. “Her commitment and love for dance shine through in every performance. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Eve takes classes in jazz/modern, ballet, tap, contemporary, hip hop, song and dance and lyrical.
Her next competition is the Northern Ireland Invitational Dance Festival in Armagh, where she will perform from June 15-17.
