A young Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri girl, Paityn Klaare-Smith, is paving the way for First Nations dancers in regional NSW.
Ms Smith is 16 years old and moved to Sydney from Orange to attend Brent Street Academy to chase her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
The academy is the high school equivalent for dancers, and splits school work with dance training.
Ms Smith's mum, Danielle Annesley, was very proud when her daughter made the cut.
"I was crying [at work] when she got in," Ms Annesley said.
In Year 10, Ms Smith moved to Sydney on her own.
Back home for the school holidays, Ms Smith spoke to the CWD about her passion for dance and being a young Wiradjuri woman.
She made her start at Dance HQ in Orange at eight years old.
"Being on stage is really something you can't explain