A Bermudian student has triumphed over hundreds of applicants to join the dance group of the storied National Basketball Association team the Boston Celtics.

Soleil Richardson completed a gruelling, monthlong process that culminated in a final audition on Saturday at the Auerbach Centre in Boston, where the Celtics and their dancers train.

After completing two prepared dances and one self-choreographed performance, Ms Richardson waited nervously in the wings before hearing her name called out as a finalist.

Ms Richardson told The Royal Gazette: “I was the sixth number called and as soon as I heard my number, I started hyperventilating.

“Then they said my name and I was just so shocked. The boy behind me was tapping me on my shoulder because I just froze.

“We came out on to the court where we held the audition and they handed me my team jacket and a bouquet of flowers. We had a group photo and I got to hug my coach, Marina Ortega. There were lots of celebrations.

“Each candidate got to bring two guests, so my mom and brother Diego were watching behind the glass above the arena. I saw them through the glass and they came down.

“I also got to hug the past team members who were helping out with the audition.”

Ms Richardson’s mother, Tamara Richardson, added: “Everyone erupted into celebrations when the successful dance team came down.

“Soleil’s brother was moved to tears. The process was so rigorous, we know how hard she has worked, so it was very rewarding to see her efforts come to this point.”

Ms Richardson has been selected for the Boston Celtics Dance Team for 2025-26. She must now complete the onboarding process before she is officially hired. This is expected to take four to six weeks.

She will be practising for the Celtic Dancers three times a week and will perform at the team’s home games.

“It is a part-time job but a full-time commitment,” she said.

Ms Richardson, 18, who was born and raised in Bermuda, said it has been her lifelong dream to be a professional dancer.

She took her first dance lesson at the age of 3 at In Motion School of Dance.

When she turned 6, she moved to United Dance Productions until reaching high school, when she left the island to attend Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts.

She is entering her second year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specialising in dance.

Ms Richardson gave a special mention to Carling Ray, an instructor who took her under her wing while she was at United.

“I think it is such a great opportunity and such a great organisation to be a part of,” she said.

“Dance teams for the NBA are known for being rigorous, so it is a great place for me to have my first professional contract.

“My ultimate goal is for dance to take me all over the world. I would love to tour with artists, feature in music videos and being on Broadway has been my dream since I was 5.”

Ms Richardson completed an internship on the Gazette news desk last summer, when she wrote several stories for the paper.

She said she still has a passion for journalism and may even look to combine her two skill sets.

“I still am very passionate about journalism — I did it through high school and would love to continue and possibly mesh it with my dance career as a way to advocate for Bermudian artists,” she explained.

Asked what advice she would give to aspiring young dancers, Ms Richardson added: “Discipline and hard work go a long way. Talent can take you far, but you also have to put in the work and be passionate about what you are doing.

“The way to make it a career and not a hobby is the discipline and commitment aspect. Don’t put yourself in a box — be versatile and soak up as much knowledge as you can. That is what people will hire you for.

“Be humble and be kind, because you can’t be a good dancer if you are not a good human.”

• Soleil Richardson will be leading a dance series in Bermuda on the weeks starting June 11 and June 18. The classes will take place at In Motion School of Dance covering hip-hop, jazz funk and contemporary styles. For information, visitwww.soleilamara.com