Zai Calliste grew up pirouetting and leaping across the boards of a north Queensland dance school.

Now, the 21-year-old has been selected for one of the world's most prestigious ballet companies.

Founded in 1950, the English National Ballet is one of the world's premiere touring companies.

Calliste has beaten his competition to become one of its 67 permanent dancers.

The young dancer said the moment he found out was unforgettable.

"I was doing a workout, and I saw an email notification come through on my phone," he said.

"The director of the school was actually teaching a class, but I was so excited that I ran into the class she was teaching and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I've just got an offer.'

"It must have been 2am or 3am in Australia, and I rang my sister because my mum was aslee

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