Drumchapel’s next Billy Elliot Sam Brown wins place at The Hammond ballet school

At the age of five, Sam Brown was inspired to begin his dance journey after his dad showed him a clip of Gene Kelly’s song “Singing in the Rain” from the 1952 musical of the same name.

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

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

“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.”

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.

The 36-year-old 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.

Sam Brown, from Drumchapel, is a student at Dancebase Academy in Dumbarton

“It has been a whirlwind of dance classes and auditions.”

During lockdown Sam was unable to attend classes in person at the Dancebase Academy studio in Dumbarton, where he is a pupil.

But he continued practising remotely, with his parents rearranging the living room of the family’s home six days a week to ensure the pandemic affected his training as little as possible.

Earlier this year, Sam, now aged 11, was invited to audition for The Hammond School in Chester, which specialises in the performing arts.

And while he showed off his skills to the audition panel more in hope than expectation, Sam and his family were thrilled to discover that he’d been awarded a scholarship.

“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 added.

Sam Brown, from Drumchapel, is a student at Dancebase Academy in Dumbarton

“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.”

The good news didn’t stop there for Sam – because just over a week later Sam was selected to attend a five day intensive ballet course in July at the Royal Ballet School in London.

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.”