Zoe Lewis of Empire Dance Studio crowned SA’s best

South Australia’s best up-and-coming dancer has been crowned. See what motivates her and why now is the time for her dreams to come true. Top five revealed.

South Australia’s best up and coming dancer may be shy off the stage, but it’s on the stage where she shines the most.

Zoe Lewis, of Empire Dance Studio, said her recent crowning as the state’s best in the recent ‘Best Of’ series had come as a shock.

“I never thought it would come to this, it’s hard to put into words,” she said.

Dancing since the age of three, it wasn’t until earlier this year Zoe began competing but it was the performance of a childhood classic that inspired her to go even further.

Zoe Lewis of Empire Dance Studio. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“I recently saw the Beauty and the Beast musical and watching the dancing in that made me feel really happy, I thought that could be something I would like to try and do someway,” she said.

“I want to focus on a bit of everything.

“There can always be opportunities and it might mean you have to do different things or certain things.

Training six days a week for sometimes up to four hours a day, Zoe admits it can be a little tough to balance school work and dance.

“I’m not the best at handing my homework up on time but I squeeze it in.”

Zoe’s mum, Saskia, said there was no better feeling than seeing your child blossom on what can be somewhat of a big stage.

“It’s amazing she has found this passion and she's a naturally quite shy but she shines when she is on stage,” Ms Lewis said.

“Recently through Empire, she had the opportunity to dance at a Port Adelaide game and she wasn't worried at all about dancing in front of the crowd.

“It’s so awesome to watch her find something where she has confidence and you can see how much she loves it, so it’s worth it.”

SA’s TOP FIVE DANCERS

Zoe Lewis, Empire Dance Studio

Asher Gordon, Australian Company of Performing Arts

Leo Johnson, Hip Hop Bounce

Amelie Zacharia Henley, Xcel Dance Studio

Phoebe Bonaguro, Gaynor’s School Of Dancing