Nadine said she was one of 54 Highland dancers selected from throughout New Zealand to compete at the three-week Tattoo in 2010.
‘‘It's a three-week event and we do two shows a day, so that's why so many dancers are needed for the team.''
There was one other dancer from Invercargill that she was aware of, but she was the only dancer from Eastern Southland selected, she said.
‘‘We will start training for the event early next year and it will mean travelling to practices in Wellington, one weekend a month.
‘‘I'm not sure what dances we will be performing yet but because the New Zealand style of Highland dancing is different from that performed in Scotland, I guess we'll have to make it look more like their version,'' she said.
Nadine said selection for the Tattoo was not easy to achieve.
‘‘You had to apply to the Commonwealth representative for the Tattoo, seeking selection.
‘‘You had to send them a list of your achievements in Highland dancing to date, plus a DVD of three different solo performances.
‘‘Then you had to wait, and for me the wait's paid off.''
Nadine said from now until the Tattoo she would be very busy learning the dances, keeping fit and raising money to go to the event.
‘‘I'm currently ranked seventh in the country in the under-18 age group but I hope to improve on that ranking at this year's nationals in Palmerston North in October.
‘‘I don't know how much it will cost to go at this stage, although we do get our team gear supplied.
‘‘I'll have to start thinking of ways to raise money for travelling to practices in Wellington and for the cost of attending the Tattoo.''
‘‘In Highland dancing, the Edinburgh Tattoo really is the pinnacle of achievement, so I can't wait,'' she said.
