Maleekah Errington was born with permanent hearing loss and was unable to speak just two years ago.
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But the bubbly five-year-old recently won first place in the six years and under classical ballet at the City of Wagga Wagga Dance Festival.
Maleekah wears a hearing aid in each ear, which allows her to hear the music.
Maleekah’s hearing loss was detected at birth when she failed her newborn hearing test.
Her short life has been filled with regular visits to Canberra for language therapy and Sydney for more appointments.
Maleekah has fortnightly speech therapy and has been fitted for a cochlear implant.
She started dancing with Southern Cross Performing Arts in February to develop her social skills and her family is thrilled with the progress she has made.
Maleekah’s first day of competition was on Tuesday and she beat older girls with more experience.
“We are extremely lucky to be part of SCPA, they’re very supportive,” Maleekah’s mother, Trudy Wilson, said.
