Once there, the stakes are high. The National Ballet School accepts only the best of the best for its full-time, internationally- recognized ballet academy.

The school is a ballerina's toughest balancing act, but it seems like 11-year-old Mili Gomez has postured herself for a promising future in professional dance. Which is why -- after impressing the staff there during the summer program -- she's been given exclusive access to a world many young girls in tutus can only dream about.

Mili has been accepted into the National Ballet School, and has met the offer with a resounding 'yes.'

As a result, Mili will start September on new footing: instead of returning to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Milton for Grade 6, she'll be taking up residence at the National Ballet School in Toronto.

And as much as it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she's had to make a sacrifice or two.

She's had to bid a fond farewell to her instructors at The Dance Shoppe studio here in Milton, as well as the 'green team,' an award-winning competitive dance team comprising her five best friends.

EMOTIONAL GOODBYE

"She was kind of torn about leaving the team," says her mom, Lisa Zampieri.

Mili consulted her team members about it, who assured her it was for the best.

In any case, Mili expects the friendships to endure.

"It's pretty sad, but I'm coming home on weekends and I can have sleepovers," she reasons.

Mili has the rest of the month to spend lots of time with her friends, as The Dance Shoppe ceases regular classes in the summer.

During the school year, Mili trained six days a week there, in the arts of tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, hip-hop and of course, ballet.

"Ballet is one of my favourites," Mili says.

She also really likes acro and jazz.

"I do want to keep up with them, but I really want to do the full-time (ballet program)," she says.

It's a big pay-off for all the years she's spent growing as a dancer -- under the guidance of her instructors at The Dance Shoppe.

Mili started dance classes there at the age of four.

Ruth Ann Gray, the studio's director, is filled with pride at Mili's acceptance into the ballet academy.

"Mili's always been very determined in knowing what she wants," she says.

"The sky's the limit. Wherever her heart wants to take her, she'll end up. Definitely, dance is in her future."

It seems as if the stars were aligned just right from the very beginning.

GREAT SUPPORT NETWORK

Her parents -- who love dance -- have strongly supported her all the way. Her dad is from Argentina, and "Latin people just love to dance," says Zampieri.

By the time Mili was six she'd progressed to the point where she started dancing not just around the house or at the studio, but in competitions.

Gray notes that she's always placed very strong in competition. She was once given a 'Most Potential' award by judges in a competition she'd entered.

Zampieri describes dancing as Mili's passion, which is why even when she wasn't training, Mili was helping out with younger dancers: showing them movements and going on stage with them during recitals.

Zampieri says she'll miss her daughter terribly when she leaves in the fall. But it seems like Mili will adjust fine to her new life away from her home in Milton.

Says Zampieri, "(Mili) was having so much fun on the weekends (during the summer program), she wasn't coming home."

"Residence... she thought was the most amazing thing."

Mili's also an A-student, which is important because kids at the National Ballet School must be able to handle its demanding schedule. The school only accepts students who won't find its academic program overwhelming coupled with the intensive dance training.

Mili made some friends during the summer program who'll be at the school in the fall.

But only time will tell who'll make it in the long run. The audition isn't over yet -- every summer, students must try out again to make it to the next grade level, culminating in grade 12.

If all goes as planned, Mili will spend the rest of her school days there, in order to reach the very pinnacle of ballet -- as a world-class ballerina.