Perseverance, precision and stage presence.

That was the recipe for success for two Tauranga girls who have been recognised as some of the top Highland dancers in the country.

Eleven-year-old Tyra Heng won the under 12 division in the NZ Dancer of the Year competition last month, and seven-year-old McKenna Hills placed second in the under eight division.

Tyra and McKenna are both taught by Te-Puna based Highland dance teacher Christine Paul, who was stoked with the results.

The one-off competition replaced the New Zealand Highland Championships that was cancelled earlier this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

NZ Dancer of the Year was held in Marlborough from October 1-4.

Participants were expected to perform multiple dances across the four days – including the Highland fling, the sword dance, the Irish jig, sailors and the Irish hornpipe.

Tyra, who has been Highland dancing since the age of four, says she's surprised but happy with the win.

'Different judges are looking for different things.

'There's that one judge that wants you to have super pointy feet, and there's one that wants you to jump super high and another that wants you to smile until your lips fall-off. Performing perfectly is a big part of it.”

The Bethlehem College student was up against 46 other Highland dancers from across the country.

Photo: John Borren.

McKenna, who has been Highland dancing for the past four years, reckons a big part of her success was due to practising daily in the lead-up to the competition.

'I was excited because I was so happy I came second. My favourite dance was the sailors,” she says.

Christine says both girls lifted to the occasion with incredible stage presence.

'It's quite intricate some of the movement these guys are doing, and a lot of it is about stage presence as well. You have to sell yourself on that stage and show you are better than everybody else.”

Tyra says she loves the challenge that comes with competing and would love to see more people her age get involved with the sport.

'It pushes your stamina, fitness, and precision – even to get one dance half decent you have to train lots and lots.”

'It also teaches you perseverance. When you first learn the fling, when you're at the last step it's like you can't even jump anymore. But the thought that you are going to finish the dance soon makes you keep going.”

Highland dancing often hides behind more popular styles of dancing, she says.

'All my friends do tap, or ballet – styles of dancing that everyone is familiar with. And then there is Highland dancing just hiding in the background. I want to see more girls and boys get into it – it would make it so much more fun.”