Temecula teen accepted by prestigious Royal Ballet School of London

MURRIETA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 16-year-old Temecula ballerina is living out a dream after she was offered a spot with the Royal Ballet School of London.

Mira Larsen has been training in classical ballet with the Academy of Ballet Arts in Murrieta since she was 10 years old. The studio's director recalls the day Larsen told him her plans.

"'I want to go to the Royal Ballet,' and I was like, 'Let's make this happen,'" said Jose Chavez.

In April, Larsen competed in the Youth American Grand Prix, the international competition showcasing ballet talent worldwide, and placed in the top 12. During her performance of Coppelia, Larsen attracted the attention of several scouts, including one with the Royal Ballet School of London.

The teen is the only American offered a spot with the incoming class at the world-renowned school. But Larsen had her doubts about getting in.

"It is really exciting but it's really hard to believe. I always dreamed I'd hopefully go dance for the Royal Ballet and go to their school, but you never know if it will happen or not," she said.

The three-year program could one day launch Larsen's career onto the world stage as a professional ballerina, but Larsen will always be grateful to the little ballet studio that helped her reach her dreams.

"It's fun to be on stage and be able to perform and give to the audience," Larsen said.

Her next big goal is to one day join the Royal Ballet of London as a professional ballerina.