The Fresh Funk dance tutor at Tuggeranong Arts Centre has won a global competition that will catapult him onto the US dance scene and see him perform alongside some of the world’s best dancers and choreographers.

McLean has busted through a swarm of rising talent to win an all-expenses month-long trip to Los Angeles to train and perform with hip-hop troupe Richboyz in August.

The video-based competition, The Richboyz Project, challenged dancers across the globe to film themselves performing pieces of set choreography, or create their own routine to set music, and upload the videos online in the space of just 24 hours.

After numerous gruelling rounds McLean came out on top – a move that will see him perform alongside the Rich Family, the company’s hand-picked dancers.

“It was mainly based on how strong the dancers are and how determined you are – it was about seeing who really wanted it,” he said.

“It’s a bit unreal, to think I will be doing that; getting my name out there. I try and play it low-key but it is quite big. It’s something I’ve worked towards for so many years now.’’

The opportunity is life-changer for a young Canberra dancer dreaming of a career on the international stage.

“I’d love to travel the world as a choreographer, but on top of that I’d just love to be a back-up dancer for artists such as Beyonce or Chris Brown,” McLean said.

“LA is the main place [for that] – it’s very hard as everyone is doing something but it’s a good push to work harder.”

McLean’s dancing career started as a six-year-old who, alongside his brother, Robert, followed his performing mother, Alison, around Canberra as she lit up local stages, from glitzy jazz to bellydance.

But his passion really fired up 11 years ago when he joined Fresh Funk in Tuggeranong, his biggest support base during the competition.

“Everyone was backing me the whole way. It’s been nice to have that support,” he said.

“It pushes me to be a better teacher and it pushes them to dance harder.’’