A MICKLEY dancer is taking great strides toward career success after landing her dream job just weeks before graduating from dance school.

Faye Johnson will set sail for adventure later this year as she takes her first job performing aboard a cruise liner touring Asia.

A talented youngster, Faye started dancing at the age of three, and three years ago was offered a full scholarship to the prestigious Bodywork Company Cambridge Dance Studios.

The former Prudhoe Community High School student said: “It was at Bodyworks that I realised I was really passionate about dance.

“I really wanted to put the effort in for myself without anyone telling me to do it.

“I have changed as a dancer. I’m stronger physically and dancing against bigger and more confident dancers you learn to push yourself more.”

Now 21, Faye graduated from the school in July, and already has her career debut lined up.

At the end of June she auditioned for a place on the Costa Fortuna cruise ship, due to embark on a seven-month tour of Asia in December.

And of the hundreds that auditioned, Faye was offered a place as one of the 12 dancers who will perform twice daily in the ship’s cabaret show.

The company will spend a month rehearsing in Italy before setting sail in December. The cruise ships heads first to Vietnam before touring the Chinese coast.

Faye has had a life on the high seas in her mind’s eye from a young age.

She said: “Working on a cruise ship has been my ideal job since I was about 12.

“Now that it’s happening I’m a bit nervous. It’s completely new to me and I don’t know what to expect.

“But I’m excited. I’ll be meeting new people, seeing the world and being paid to do what I love every day.”