By Julie Waters
INSPIRATIONAL youngster Penny Maxwell proved that nothing will hold her back from pursuing her dance dreams when she competed in the Dance World Cup 2026 qualifying rounds recently.
The seven year-old from Conlig, who is a Northern Ireland championship dancer, was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of her spine, just four years ago – making the younger’s achievement all that more remarkable.
Such is her condition, Penny, who attends Abbey Primary School in Newtownards, is required to wear a back brace 23 hours a day – the only time she does not have to wear the support is whilst showering and pursuing sporting activities.
Anditisonthe dance floor that Penny finally feels ‘free’ to express herself, practising 12 hours a week, in a variety of dance genres from ballet, to tap, jazz, hip hop and the performing arts.
Now Penny, who is a member of Excel Dance Company in Newtownards, is hoping to secure a place in the global Dance World Cup 2026 competition, which will be held in Dublin this summer.
With previous Dance World Cup competitions held in the likes of Portugal and Spain, it has attracted over 120,000 children and young people from 60 countries who are all vying for a top spot.
This major global dance competition will be held from July 12 to 18 in Ireland’s capital and is hailed as the world’s largest all- genre dance competition featuring a vast array of talent from up-and-coming dancers.
Proud mum Carrie recalled her young daughter’s remarkable dance journey saying: “Penny started dancing when she was 18 months-old at Excel Dance Company. She was then diagnosed with scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, when she was three years-old.
“She now has to wear a back brace and she has to wear it 23 hours a day. She is only allowed it off for sport and showers. She has to wear the brace at school and at night and she would have a classroom assistant to help her manage the brace.”
But there is one special place where Penny can express herself – the dancefloor. “Dance is where Penny feels free,” said mum Carrie. “She has been dancing for a number of years now and she just loves it, it is like her second family.”
Penny is certainly dedicated to pursuing her dance passion, as her mum Carrie explained she trains 12 hours a week – and she welcomed the self- confidence boost that performing gives her young daughter.
“Penny is actually quite shy,” said Carrie, “but when she is on stage and performing, she sings and dances in one of her solos, she is just such a performer, it is like she is someone else when she dances.”
Brooke Porter, creative director at Excel Dance Company, said of the young dancer: “Penny is a phenomenal dancer for the challenges she faces with her scoliosis. She is a championship dancer and has won Northern Ireland championships. She is a hard worker and has a bright future ahead of her qualifying for international competitions.”
