SASHA Carter, 9, loves the feeling of being on stage. Since February she has been preparing for this year's Gladstone Eisteddfod.

This year she will compete in the contemporary and ballet categories as well as speech and singing.

She said dancing was her favourite of the three.

"All my three dances are new this year. I've been dancing since I was four," she said.

"I usually only get nervous on the first performance.

"But then I know what to expect and I'm fine," she said.

Sasha has several costumes for the event, a knee-length dress for her contemporary piece and a tutu for the ballet performance.

She said she enjoys portraying different characters at the eisteddfod too.

"I'm doing one called Lost in the Woods.

"It's really fun because you get to act and do lots of facial expressions, which I've learnt from my Dad because he's really silly."

Sasha learned to dance with the Amber Wieland School of Dance in Gladstone.

She practices jazz, contemporary, ballet and tap.