Olivia Burke, 17, of Cape Breton is the first Nova Scotian-born highland dancer to win at the world championships in Dunoon, Scotland.
Burke placed first in three of her four dances, snagging the top spot in her age division at the Cowal Gathering, which bills itself as the largest highland games in the world. "I have been training for this my whole life," said Burke in an interview with CBC on Tuesday, after she returned from Scotland to her home in Coxheath, N.S.
Burke has been dancing since the age of four, and practices on average about six times per week. Her dance teacher and aunt, Kelly MacArthur, says from a young age, Burke's dedication and discipline set her apart. "I always knew she had it in her because she always had a little bit of everything.
It was just … the drive that separates her from other dancers," said MacArthur. MacArthur said it was both Burke's attitude and stamina that got her to the top.