SA’s best dancer 2024: Sofia Lydyard crowned the state’s rising star of the stage

A “heartbreaking” case of pneumonia put this tiny dancer’s dream on hold but now she’s back on the stage stronger than ever. Meet the state’s top dancing queen.

Six of the finalists in the SA's best dancer comp. Pictures: Supplied

Twelve-year-old Sofia Lydyard would dance all day long if should could and she nearly does, donating 25 hours a week to dance lessons.

The dancing queen, who had already collected a myriad of accolades across dance competitions, has been voted South Australia’s best dancer for 2024.

“That’s so exciting,” Sofia said when The Advertiser rang with the news.

“I love expressing my love of dance to the audience and my peers.”

The young star of the stage is a member at Marden Calisthenics College and also dances at GWB Studios in Mile End.

Sofia Lydyard, 12, has been named SA’s best dancer for 2024. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Dancer Sofia shows off her poses in costume. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Between school and her dance commitments, Sofia is a busy young girl but said she was motivated by her friends to keep on dancing through life.

“Most of the time I do my homework in my breaks, like at recess and lunch at school or in the car on the way to dance,” Sofia said.

She was recently accepted into the Australian Ballet International Program and completed an intensive course with elite ballet dancers in Melbourne.

“It was really special knowing that I saw them in, like a ballet production beforehand,” she said.

“I want to be in shows and musicals worldwide and ballets.”

Sofia in the studio. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Sofia didn’t let a nasty case of pneumonia set her back. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Sofia’s dancing was put on hold earlier in the year when she came down with a nasty case of pneumonia.

While it was a “heartbreaking” time for the passionate dancer she said it taught her the importance of taking time out.

“It makes me stronger if I take breaks,” Sofia said.

The tween was among nearly 100 entrants from ballerinas to hip-hoppers nominated in The Advertiser’s Best Dancer Competition.

Meet more finalists below and read Edward Liebelt’s story here – he has been described as SA’s own Billy Elliot.

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Top 5 SA dancers

1.Sofia Lydyard, Highbury

2. Edward Liebelt, Minlaton

3. Trinity Werts, Mount Barker

4. Maddy Hoysted, Trott Park

5. Mackenzie Rocca, Munno Para West

Meet dance star Chloe Marschall

Chloe Marschall has been dancing longer than she has been talking, but cysts in her feet nearly took her passion away from her in 2020.

“It was a pretty devastating time in her life because (doctors) did tell her to cut back (dancing) and obviously she was heartbroken,” Chloe’s mum, Renee Marschall said.

After undergoing two operations and a difficult recovery process, Chloe maintained her motivation and has continued to light up stages and win competitions across the state.

“I guess you just have to sort of push through,” the 15-year-old said.

Along with her cysts, Chloe has also been diagnosed with hypermobility which causes her extreme pain in her hips.

Despite cysts in her feet and being diagnosed with hypermobility Chloe has continued to win competitions across the state. Picture: Supplied

Chloe not only attends her own dance classes but also juggles her school work and part-time job: Picture: Supplied

“She just recently went down to Adelaide for her jazz exams and came back and was in hospital the same night due to painful hips,” Ms Marschall said.

“So she had to take a week off dance for that but she ended up getting an honours plus which is the highest.”

In her Monash community, Chloe not only attends her own dance classes but also passes on her skills to younger students while juggling her school work and part-time job.

“She always does it with a smile on her face and is so dedicated that she goes to every session that she is put down for,” Ms Marschall said.

“I’m so proud of her and the person she has become.”

Unfortunately, Chloe was told her cysts have returned in her feet meaning she faces further surgery and six to eight weeks out of her beloved dance lessons.

“I’m a bit heartbroken but I guess I am just learning to deal with it and keep going.”

Meet ballerina Mya Woodford

Mya Woodford dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Each week, she spends hours at En Pointe Ballet School. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Mya Woodford has been dancing since she was two years old when her mum signed her up for baby ballet and dreams of becoming a professional dancer or a dance teacher.

Over the years she has also taken the stage in hip-hop, musical theatre, jazz and contemporary spending four hours a week at dance school with no intention of slowing down.

“I like dancing the most because you can express your emotions through dance,” the 12-year-old said.

“I also like dancing because of all the support and encouragement you get from all your friends and families and teachers.

“It’s also a great way to get your exercise in.”

Mya has been a student of Sarah Jones from En Pointe Ballet School throughout the entirety of her dance education.

“I enjoy dancing with Miss Sarah because she’s an amazing teacher and a great role model and she just inspires me to keep going,” the rising star said.

With her teacher’s guidance, Mya has completed a range of ballet exams through the Cecchetti syllabus and has consistently achieved honours marks.

“Doing exams is a good way to see your improvement and it pushes you to be the best version of yourself so if I practice and practice, I know there will probably be a good outcome,” she said.

“Next year, I will hopefully do the Cecchetti medal competition.”