Vote for SA’s best up-and-coming dancer

The next generation of dancing superstars have arrived, but who is SA’s best? See who is leading the race before voting closes this week.

From hip hop and jazz, to ballet and acrobatics, South Australia is home to a wide variety of talented dancers. We’re on the quest to find the state’s brightest up-and-coming dancers but we need your help.

In our quest to crown South Australia’s best emerging dancer, we’ve narrowed the competition down to 40 finalists as nominated by readers on our Facebook call-out.

For 11-year-old Mason Webb, his passion for dance started when he was just 16 months old and now hopes his passion will go on to inspire others.

“My dream is to make it on to Broadway and hopefully make it on West End,” he said.

“After I achieve those goals I want to open up my own dance school and encourage everyone.”

While Mason is an avid dancer now, his mum Ashley Rosewarne said it all wasn’t smooth sailing as they tried to find a space that would encourage their son to follow his dreams.

Mason Webb has been nominated as SA's best up and coming dancer. Pic: Supplied

“We couldn’t find anywhere that would take him, even a few years ago places wouldn’t take boys,” Ms Rosewarne said.

“It was heartbreaking with all the emails I had from places but it seems to have really changed these past few years.

“Nothing has ever wavered his love and dedication for it, that is where his heart is and that is where he stayed.”

Five nights a week and every Saturday morning, Mason heads from Gawler to GWB Studios in Mile End to train across a number of different classes including jazz, ballet, musical theatre, contemporary and his favourite tap.

“It’s in my heart,” Mason said.

As for 17-year-old Patric Annetta, he balances a fine line of finishing his final year of high school and his jazz, ballet and contempery.

“It can be difficult but I make dance my priority,” Patric said.

“It’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

While he has auditions in his sights, Patric hopes his journey will encourage boys to also take up the art of dance.

“All the boys in Adelaide who are thinking of dancing, just do it,” he said.

“It’s essentaill for the future of dance, there are not enough boys dancing at the moment and companies are having to cut those classes.

“The more boys we have in the industry the better.”

Mason is just one of the many bright stars nominated in The Messenger’s latest best of competition, but will he win?

See which local stars made our list and vote before 12pm Thursday.

TOP 10 LEADING THE RACE

Leo Johnson, Hip Hop Bounce

Zoe Lewis, Empire Dance Studio

Patric Annetta,Terry Simpson Studio

Mason Webb, GWB Studios

Amelie Zacharia Henley, Xcel Dance Studio

Phoebe Bonaguro, Gaynor’s School Of Dancing

Jake Hipkiss, Insanity All Star Cheer and Dance

Sophie Smith, Empire Dance Studio

Macy Adamson, TK Studios

Asher Gordon, Australian Company of Performing Arts

*Note: You must be a digital subscriber to vote in our ‘Best of’ poll. One only vote per subscriber will be recorded. Voting closes Thursday, August 31 at 12pm. The winner will be announced Friday, September 1.