The East Albury dancer learned on Wednesday she will receive a $10,000 Young Regional Artist Scholarship to help develop her career.

“I was over the moon,” she said.

“It’s going to give me so many opportunities.

“I’m really, really hoping to get overseas in the next 12 months and hopefully start auditioning for professional dance companies.

“There’s so much going on in the dance industry overseas and I would really love to be a part of it.”

Parnell, 18, is one of 13 artists sharing $130,000 for self-directed career development in this round of NSW government funding.

Arts Minister Don Harwin said the program selected young artists who showed exciting promise in extending the appeal of arts across the state.

Member for Albury Greg Aplin said the scholarships were great initiatives.

“Nurturing young artistic talent will ensure a vibrant cultural life for Albury well into the future,” he said.

Parnell began learning to dance aged about five or six.

“Never really thought that I was going to be a professional dancer until I was about 12 and then I just decided that it was what I wanted to do,” she said.

She completed her last two years of secondary school through distance education to allow more time for her passion.

“So basically I danced all day and then I would go home and complete school work,” she said.

Part of Projection Dance School, Parnell studies under Tim Podesta and Victoria Ballard.

A typical day might include a strength and conditioning or cardio session, followed by stretching, ballet or contemporary classes, then rehearsals for coming performances.

“Tim has taken me under his wing and really, really helped with my confidence and developing as a professional dancer,” she said.

Even a recent knee injury has contributed to this development.

“Because I’m really learning how important my body is in this industry,” Parnell said.

“It’s basically my instrument, so taking care of it is so important.”

Parnell will use her scholarship during her internship with M&T In Motion, founded by Podesta and Italian prima ballerina Mara Galeazzi, of the Royal Ballet.

“Just create some new connections with people who are within the industry so then I’m really amongst it,” she said.

“I haven’t got my heart set on one company at the moment, I’m really just hoping to go to Europe because that’s just where I feel the style of dance suits me best.”