Gympie’s best dancers: 11 young dancers to watch
The Gympie region is home to many young dancers from ballet, jazz, aerial and everything in between. See who made the list and their inspiring dreams for the future.
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Young dancers are tapping into their full potential across the Gympie region as they make their mark in the industry. From ballet to jazz here are 11 of some of our region’s best up-and-coming dancers.
Abby Hewitt
Abby Hewitt, 9, began her dancing journey at three years-of-age.
She joined Just Dance in 2020, when Bonnie Anthony’s studio was first established.
She loves playing expressive characters, making musical theatre her favourite style of dance.
Abby wishes to share her passion as a dance teacher in the future.
Teaching musical theatre, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and hip-hop are her top priorities.
Abby has a drive for dance competitions, placing first in all her endeavours frequently.
Her most successful dance routine was her musical theatre solo from the musical Charlie Brown.
“I love Miss Bonnie’s choreography, dancing with my friends, and having fun,” Abby said.
“I love performing in our end of year concerts and special events like the Gympie Show and Gympie Carols by Candlelight.”
Olivia Alford
Olivia Alford, 11, has been dancing since she was three years-of-age, and started at Just Dance in 2020.
She loves all dance styles, with her favourite being musical theatre and jazz for the high energy.
She also enjoys flying through the air with her tricks and flips in acro.
Olivia strives to develop her skills as a choreographer and a soloist, and wishes to produce her own performances on stage in the future.
Olivia has been entering dance competitions as a soloist for the past four years, placing frequently for all of her dance routines.
She has also performed locally with the Just Dance team at multiple events, including the Gympie Gold Rush Festival, Carols by Candlelight and as a Christmas entertainer at Gympie Central Shopping Centre.
“One of my favourite things about dance is that it gives me the ability to express my feelings,” Olivia said.
Allegra Benedetti
Allegra Benedetti, 6, has been dancing for more than five years.
She has been with Just Dance since 2021.
Allegra has trained her technique in contemporary and jazz and loves mastering tricks in acro.
Allegra has successfully auditioned for the International Dance Technique Elite Training Extensive Program and NxtGen Project.
She aspires to teach dance and run workshops for young dancers like herself in the future.
“At Just Dance, I get to do what I love, be myself, progress my dancing, learn proper technique and have fun dancing with my friends every week in a beautiful studio,” she said.
Tully Bell
Tully Bell, 10, has seven years of dance under her belt.
She started at Just Dance in 2020.
Tully loves letting her acting and dancing skills shine in musical theatre. She also loves showing off her tricks in acro.
Tully loves to challenge herself and dance with her friends. She wishes to dance professionally in the future, and help others dance as a teacher.
She placed as a Top Ten Dancer at Get Beat Maleny, and received the 10 Years and Under Versatility Excellence Award at Get Beat Malen’ and Ooh La La Bundaberg.
She was also the Modern Championship Qualifier and Classical Championship Runner Up at Bundaberg Festival of Dance. She also placed as age-category winner for various performances.
“I love dancing and having fun with my friends,” she said.
Mackenzie Ryan
Mackenzie Ryan, 15, has been a dancing star since two years-of-age.
She started studying at Just Dance at the start of 2019.
Her favourite styles are lyrical and contemporary dance.
Mackenzie’s dream is to choreograph dance for other students around Queensland.
She is studying a Certificate III in Dance and a Certificate III in Teaching at Just Dance to help fulfil her goal.
Mackenzie has competed as a soloist and group performer, having placed numerous times over the years.
She has participated in the Australian Tap Dance Festival and has received two end-of-year awards for workmanship and dedication.
“I love Just Dance because the environment is encouraging,” said Mackenzie.
“Miss Bonnie has a passion and drive that I had never seen before. She pushes us to be our best and gives us lots of opportunities.”
Justin Omara
Justin Omara, 18, is in his fifth year of dance, having started at Just Dance in 2021.
He specialises in jazz and contemporary dance for its challenges and choreography.
Justin is now working in the Just Dance office to complete a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management for his future career.
He has been given the opportunity to choreograph routines for Sage Music Academy, including the 2021 Warriors of Sound musical.
“Just Dance has become a home away from home for me as it’s like my own dancing family, empowering and supporting each other,” he said.
Hannah Laffey
Hannah Laffey, 15, joined Dance Plus Physique in 2018.
She studies advanced levels of ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and acro.
Hannah is honing her choreography and concentrating on her technical and artistic development in the Australian Dance Vision program.
She has obtained a Major II Ballet certificate, and received a grade of Honours with Distinction in 2021.
She strives to follow her lifelong dream of performing in all styles of dance and choreograph professionally.
“Dance has always been a part of my life that I have thoroughly enjoyed and the dance studio is a place and space where I can express my sense of creativity,” said Hannah.
Grace Palm
Grace Palm, 14, began training at Dance Plus in 2014.
She studies intermediate jazz, contemporary, lyrical and ballet.
She qualified as a dedicated troupe member of the Dance Plus competition team in 2022.
Grace is determined to have dance in her future, professionally or not.
She wants to share her passion by teaching young dancers so they can grow up with the same love for the sport.
“Dance is my happy place – it makes me feel strong, free and alive and nothing gets in the way of it. It’s a chance for me to socialise and express my emotions in a non-verbal way,” she said.
Ella Wyllie
Ella Wyllie, 11, joined Dance Plus in 2019.
She studies intermediate jazz, contemporary, ballet, acro and tap.
Ella has achieved very high grades and certificates for ballet and in Australian Dance Vision program.
She performs as soloist and troupe member for the Dance Plus competitive teams.
She wishes to be a professional dancer or start her own studio in the future.
“Dance is my world, I love to dance! My dance friends are some of my best friends. I love performing in troupe, solo and duos in competition – being on stage is where I feel best,” said Ella
“When I have a bad day, dance is my happy place.”
Ayla Pooley
Ayla Pooley, 10, began at Dance Plus in 2016.
She studies pre-intermediate jazz, contemporary, ballet and acro.
Ayla joined the Dance Plus competition team in 2021, making massive leaps in her dancing technique ever since.
“I love performing, learning new skills and having fun with my dance friends,” she said.
Charlie Blake-McAulay
Charlie Blake-McAulay, 8, started training at Dance Plus in 2017.
She studies pre-intermediate jazz, contemporary, ballet and acro.
Charlie has been a member of the Dance Plus competition team since 2021.
She approaches all her performances with enthusiasm.
She achieved an Honours with Certificate in the Australian Dance Vision program in 2021, along with other outstanding results from her exams.
“I love dance because it makes me feel alive and happy.” Charlie said.
“I really like learning new dances and spending time with my dance friends and I love performing on stage,”
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