Fraser Coast’s best dancers: 27 young dancers to watch
From hip hop and jazz, to ballet and acrobatics, the Fraser Coast is home to many talented dancers, with some leaping their way into the spotlight from just six years old. See who’s made the list:
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From pirouettes to handsprings, these Fraser Coast dance stars have made their mark on the industry from a young age, specialising in genres from ballet to acrobatics.
See the list of 27 young talented dancers on the Fraser Coast to watch:
Matilda Harrison
Matilda Harrison started at Toni Robinson’s Dance School in 2019.
The 15-year-old is quite the all-rounder, dancing in styles of jazz, contemporary, hip hip and even acrobatics.
She’s also a teacher assistant in the school’s Junior Jazz classes.
As a dancer, Matilda has performed in competitions, concerts and productions.
A recent dancing highlight for Matilda was completing her first solo at the Future Dance Stars Competition, as well as landing her first major role in the 2022 production of We Will Rock You the musical.
Matilda is described by her dance teacher Bridget Wendland as being a “very valued member” of the dance team.
“Matilda is a very enthusiastic and well-rounded dancer, she is extremely dedicated and never stops improving!” she said.
Olivia Neilsen
This young dancer leapt her way into the spotlight from an early age, with her first solo at just six years old.
Olivia Neilsen has been dancing with Toni Robinson’s Dance School since she was two-and-a-half.
The seven-year-old specialises in jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop and acrobatics.
“Olivia is tiny but mighty,” her dance teacher Ms Wendland said.
She took out first place in her first solo last year at the Maryborough Eisteddfod.
Despite being a youngster, Olivia has refined advanced technical skills like forward and backward walkovers, chin stands, elbow stands, back handsprings and aerials.
She dances four times a week at the school and has recently performed a dance duo with her sister, Ella Neilsen, at the Future Dance Stars Competition (10 years category) where she placed first.
Ella Neilsen
The dancing genes run in the family, with Olivia’s sister Ella Neilsen also dancing at Toni Robinson’s Dance School.
Along with completing a dance duo with her sister, the 10-year-old secured a major role in the school’s 2021 production of The Greatest Showman.
Her dancing specialties include jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary and acrobatics.
“Ella is a very enthusiastic and promising dancer,” Ms Wendland said.
Ella has been dancing at the school since she was in Prep.
Hayley Wilkinson
Hayley Wilkinson is currently in Year 11 and dances three days a week at Toni Robinson’s Dance School.
Hayley is a jazz, hip hop and contemporary dancer, and a “valued member” of the school’s competition team.
“Hayley has been dancing with us since she was a little one, she has always shown such enthusiasm and grace in her movement,” Ms Wendland said.
Hayley has also danced her way to her first major role in the 2022 production of We Will Rock You the musical.
Rex Peers
This young dancer only has a few months left at Toni Robinson’s Dance School before he embarks on a full-time dancing journey on the Gold Coast in 2023.
Rex Peers is a dancer, assistant teacher at the school and talented choreographer.
While his dancing experience includes jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop and acrobatics, he excels in commercial jazz.
Ms Wendland said Rex’s personality and love for dancing has “always prevailed on stage”.
Rex has performed in various competitions across South East Queensland, as well as leaping his way into the spotlight in this year’s We Will Rock You the musical production.
He started at the dance school at six years old.
Bri Sengstock
Bri Sengstock joined Kaitlin’s Aerial & Dance Academy in 2019.
She has seven years dancing experience, along with three years of aerial training.
Bri specialises in contemporary dance and aerials, with her favourite apparatus being ‘lyra’ (an aerial hoop suspended from the ceiling).
She placed fourth in her category in open lyra this year in aerial competition, Bend The Air.
Bri said she has a goal of being “en point” in ballet someday soon.
“In dance all I ever want to do is strive for my best in contemporary, ballet, hip hop and jazz,” she said.
A highlight of her dancing journey so far, was performing alongside her coach Kaitlin Foley at a fundraising event last year.
Natalie Smith
This young dancer has the nickname of ‘pretzel’ due to her incredible flexibility.
Natalie Smith, 14, has been dancing for 11 years with a passion for lyrical dancing and lyra aerial apparatus.
Alongside dance, she has three years aerial experience and two years under her belt in acro.
She joined KADA three years ago.
A key achievement for Natalie was qualifying for Bend The Air Nationals on the Gold Coast in early 2023 for acro.
At just eight years-of-age, she also danced on a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the South Pacific Island in 2016.
Ashleigh Vicic
Ashleigh Vicic started at KADA in 2020.
While she hasn’t found her favourite dance style yet, Ashleigh said she enjoys “trying a little bit of everything”.
Her background in artistic and acrobatic gymnastics has now lead her to starting aerials.
Ashleigh said her “biggest achievement” in her dancing career, was competing in her first aerials competition, which lead to her qualifying for the Bend The Air National Finals in 2023, after placing third in her category.
Neve Toms
For Neve Toms, her favourite apparatus are the ‘silks’ (aerial acrobatics on fabric suspended from the ceiling).
She joined KADA in 2020.
This young talent began aerial lessons three-and-a-half years ago, and started acrobatics in 2021.
“A highlight for me was passing the audition process for Bend the Air competition earlier this year,” Neve said.
Despite an injury preventing her from competing in the competition, Neve is determined to compete in Brisbane later this year.
Chloe Hodges
Chloe Hodges has been dancing for 12 years and performing aerials for four years.
The young dance star joined KADA in 2018.
“I love all styles of dance, but if I had to choose a favourite it would have to be either acro or ballet,” Chloe said.
During her time as a dancer, Chloe has performed with the Brisbane City Youth Ballet.
She was also accepted to travel to Italy and Switzerland to take part in workshops with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in 2019, but was sadly unable to attend due to Covid.
Kayla Hays
Kayla Hays found her love for dancing at just four years old.
She now has 12 years dancing experience and his is her fifth year at the Pamela Marshall Academy of Dance.
While Kayla dances both acro and contemporary, she said hip hop is one of her “all time favourites”.
In 2021, the dance star received honours with distinction for her Australian Dance Association Bar-Gold Star jazz exam.
A highlight in Kayla’s dancing career, was recently making it into the top ten highest scoring solos in the Open Age section at the Future Stars Dance Competition.
She has also been accepted into the RB Corp Instruction Contemporary Company.
Hollie Thompson
Hollie Thompson is quite the dancing superstar, keeping herself busy training in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, acro, musical theatre and cabaret.
But for the young dancer, her favourite style is jazz.
She’s been dancing for 11 years and joined the Pamela Marshall Academy of Dance in 2014.
A key achievement for Hollie was receiving an offer into the pre-professional course at the Launch Performing Arts Centre on the Gold Coast in 2023.
Hollie is also dancing in Toxicant, a contemporary production with RBCI in Brisbane.
Heidi Bennett
Heidi Bennett embarked on her dancing journey at eight years of age.
She has been with The League Studios for five years now, with her favourite styles of dance being hip hop, acro and lyrical.
A dancing highlight for this young talent was winning the half scholarship at the dance school.
Mia Lewis
For this dance star, her favourite genres are jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre and acrobatics.
Mia Lewis has been dancing for six years and joined The League Studios in 2017.
A key achievement for Mia was performing in the Maryborough production of We Will Rock You the musical.
She will also be performing in the upcoming Brisbane productions of the musical.
Ellie Stewart
Ellie Stewart joined The League Studios when it first opened six years ago.
She started dancing when she was three years old, and now has over 11 years experience.
Ellie said she loves all styles of dance, but if she had to pick a favourite it would be jazz.
“I love the up beat commercials dances as well as all the turns, kicks and jumps,” she said.
A highlight of Ellie’s dancing journey so far, was having the opportunity to be an ambassador for a dance company in Melbourne.
Ellie said her “amazing” dance teachers and friends had been other highlights of her dancing career, because having people who support her makes her dancing experience more “enjoyable and fun”.
Emily Hogan
For this dance star, performing at competitions has helped her build a stronger bond with her dancing family at The League Studios.
Emily Hogan joined the dance school in 2018, and has seven years dancing experience behind her.
She is a little torn when it comes to her favourite dance style, as she loves both jazz and contemporary.
Coco Davies
Coco Davies may only be eight years old, but she trains in an array of dance styles, including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, broadway jazz, musical theatre, tap, acro, hip hop and cheer.
But, out of the lot, her favourite styles are hip hop and dance because the genres allow her to bring her attitude and sass to performances.
In October 2021, Coco was awarded the Future Stars National 6U Hip Hop Champion.
She has also qualified to compete at this year’s nationals in the Get The Beat Dance Competition and Future Stars Dance Competition.
Cailee Steen
Cailee Steen has been dancing for 11 years and joined The League Studios when they opened in 2017.
She said joining the school was the “best decision” she ever made.
Cailee has experience in hip hop, tap, musical theatre, ballet, cheer, pointe and heels.
Her all time favourite dance genres are acro and contemporary.
A highlight for Cailee has been dancing in Disneyland in the US, Hollywood Boulevard and Universal Studios.
She has also danced in London with the Imperial Russian Ballet in The Nutcracker.
Deegan Attard
This young talent loves to “give everything a go” when it comes to dance.
Deegan Attard has been dancing for four years, with his favourite styles being tap and acro.
He started with The League Studios earlier this year after moving to Qld from NSW.
For Deegan, anytime he dances is a highlight, as he loves the excitement of performing regardless of the winning.
Lexie Calis
Lexie Calis has been dancing for five years, with the genres of lyrical and commercial jazz capturing her heart.
She joined the The League Studios nearly three years ago.
Some key achievements in this young dance star’s career include being awarded a Summer School Scholarship by Lucy Doherty and winning the Highest Scoring Soloist at the Maryborough Eisteddfod.
She has also taken out the Most Promising Lyrical Dancer title two years in a row at the Bundaberg Festival of Dance.
Lexie has also received a National Star Award by Briden Starr at Village Nation which included a photoshoot with Dance Train Magazine.
Chloe Ernst
This dance star is looking forward to pursuing a career in the performing arts.
Chloe Ernst has been a part-time Academy student at Sparks Dance Centre since she was in Year 5.
She is now studying her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Business Management.
A highlight in Chloe’s dancing career to-date, was being accepted in the Sunshine Coast program with HQ Dance Co.
Lyla Tobin
Lyla Tobin is also a part-time Academy student at Sparks Dance Centre who trains on Thursdays and evenings.
She is also studying her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Business Management.
While Lyla is considering a future in dance, she is also looking at pursuing medicine.
Caitlin Humphries
This dance star is looking forward to a career in dance.
Caitlin Humphries currently trains at Sparks Dance Centre as a part-time Academy student.
She attends the centre’s evening classes and is also completing her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Business Management.
Morgan McDonald
Along with dancing, Morgan McDonald is studying a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Business Management.
The part-time Academy student at Sparks Dance Centre trains on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as some evenings.
She hopes to have a career in the performing arts industry.
Shayla Blenheim
This young talent is a classical coaching student at Sparks Dance Centre.
Shayla Blenheim trains in the evenings and during the centre’s full day program on a Friday.
She is currently training to pursue a career in dance.
Cienna Cathcart
Cienna Cathcart is also classical coaching student at Sparks Dance Centre.
She is a full-time dancer at the centre with a vision to pursue a career as a ballerina.
This talented dancer has recently been accepted into the classical program at the Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy.
Jazlin Briscoe
For Jazlin Briscoe, she hopes to chase a career as a teacher or choreographer.
She trains at Sparks Dance Centre as a part-time Academy student.
Along with her dancing, Jazlin is studying her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Business Management.
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