Smarts from dance and academics go hand in glove in Hayley Woods’ world.

“Dance definitely teaches you discipline. “And if you do dance and instruments at school, they help with school work because they exercise your brain more often,” the sixth-grader at Maple Bay elementary said.

Woods, 11, was the sole local seen on stage among several merry mice in Ballet Victoria’s recent Cowichan Theatre performance of Cinderella.

Training since age four at Carlson’s School Dance in Duncan was bait for her unpaid rodent role.

“All my dance training here really helped.

“It was quite exciting because Ballet Victoria is really professional and I feel special to be able to work with them.”

It was pure luck she was picked to appear in Cinderella.

“When they needed a dancer, they contacted my dance school and said they needed someone of a specific size,” the native Duncanite said.

“I happened to be that size and they asked me to be in it.

“It wasn’t that hard but the other mice are a lot older than me and more experienced. It was quite easy to catch onto.”

Woods felt like an apprentice pro dancer on stage.

“It felt really great, almost like I might be one of them one day, if I start dance right here.”

Carlson’s classes include ballet, free jazz, modern jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical.

“I like free jazz because it’s stuff that’s really fun and fast and it takes a lot of work to really be good at it,” the injury-free dancer said.

“I haven’t actually hurt myself – maybe a couple of bruises.”

There are mental perks from dance too.

“Sometimes if I have a problem and go to dance class, I just forget about it and focus on something constructive.”

Parents John Woods and Mary Lyn Bancroft support Woods’ dance classes morally and financially.

If they’re working and unable to drive her to Carlson’s, Woods has a reliable fallback.

“My second mom, Leeanne Mansueti, drives me to dance classes. She’s my best friend’s (Giulanna) mom.”

Woods’ other lessons happen at Maple Bay school.

“I love music and science and experiments,” said the gal who may be called Dr. Woods one day.

“I’d love to continue to dance throughout my life, but once I graduate I’d like to study at university and hopefully become a cancer researcher because I really like science,” she said.

Inspiration comes from Woods’ former dance teacher, Kim Robb.

Robb now lives in Mexico “but she’s here right now teaching some classes.”

Meanwhile, Woods said BV members are “fantastic dancers and very professional and nice to be around.”

Her debut with the troupe also allowed Woods some networking time.

“Now Ballet Victoria knows my name and if they need anyone else in future, they know who to call.”