Ipswich’s most promising young dance stars reveal their stories of success
With dedication, passion and joy, Ipswich’s up-and-coming young dance stars are carving their paths to success. SEE THE LIST
Ipswich
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Ipswich’s best young dancers are already making names for themselves in the region and beyond.
Ipswich is home to a growing population of budding young dancers, a vast range of styles, and a number of dance schools eager to help our best and brightest hone their talents.
Many local dance schools struggled throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and some even had to close their doors indefinitely.
The region saw further setbacks during the floods earlier this year, but our most competitive dance schools have been unwavering in their efforts.
The Eighty8 Dance Studio celebrated the reopening of their dance studio in Goodna recently, with the ever-determined Meilaing Ng Wun at its helm.
“We just have to keep going,” she said.
At the Eighty8 Dance studio, hip hop is not just about the craft, but it’s also about bringing the community together and giving the students a place where they can feel confident. Even the most seemingly shy students come alive on their studio’s stage.
Ms Ng Wun said many of her students face a range of struggles throughout their personal and schooling lives, and that dance is “where the kids come to get away from those things.”
Ipswich’s most promising young dance stars have come into their own through the art of dance.
Here is our alphabetised list of our talented up-and-comers and their stories.
KATY CHARLWOOD
Fourteen-year-old Katy is a multitalented up-and-comer who has recently taken the leap from student to teacher.
Katy has been dancing with Allstar Dance since she was four years old and joined their eisteddfod team in 2017.
She participates in all genres with the company, but her specialty is jazz.
Katy has taken up the mantle of student teacher at Allstar Dance this year, hoping to pursue a career in dance as both a teacher and a performer.
She endeavours to become qualified to teach her own dance class one day – but her ultimate goal is to perform at the 2032 Olympics Opening Ceremony.
KHAYLIN CORNETT
Eleven-year-old Khaylin has enjoyed four years with the Eighty8 Dance Company.
She said dance was a space where she loved “being able to take your mind off things”.
Khaylin has competed with the studio on multiple occasions, most recently at the Australia Hip Hop Dance Championships.
After eight weeks of focused rehearsals, she and the rest of her crew – named A.O.K – came home proud with a silver medal.
Khaylin and the rest of A.O.K have scored high at a number of competitions now, including the Australian Dance Crew Championships and House of Champions last year.
She said she enjoyed the friendships she had formed with her fellow dancers, and was excited to compete with them in the future.
SHELBY EVANS
Shelby is a dedicated performer with a passion for all genres of dance.
Earlier this year, she qualified to compete in the national dance championships, which will take place next year.
2022 marks the 13-year-old’s tenth year with Allstar Dance in West Ipswich.
In that time, she has won multiple awards at eisteddfods, along with a dance scholarship at a local high school.
Shelby’s dream is to become a qualified dance teacher so she can share her passion and knowledge on to younger dancers.
ELLA FEWSTER
This hard-working 16 year old started dancing at just age three.
As part of Ipswich State High School’s dance program, Ella enjoys choreographing routines and has developed a passion for teaching dance.
She has received a number of school awards for her participation and excellence in dance, including ‘performing arts’, ‘most valuable team member’ and awards for her service in dance.
Ella is on a scholarship with the school’s dance excellence program and currently working towards completing her ATAR and her dream of pursuing law at university.
AMARLEY JOICE
Multi-talented Amarley has been dancing with the Eighty8 Dance Company for four years now.
The 11-year-old said she loves “to communicate and make friends” through the hip hop medium.
She enjoys challenging herself and her teammates in competitions, most recently at the Australia Hip Hop Dance Championships with dance crew A.O.K.
She also competed with the crew previously at the Australian Dance Crew Championships and House of Champions last year.
In addition to her hip hop training with the Eighty8 Dance Company, Amarley also trains in the Kapa Haka dance style.
EDEN MUHAREM-LEYS
Eden has spent just one year with the Eighty8 Dance Company, after her mother encouraged her to find an avenue to “get out some of her energy.”
At 12 years old, Eden embodies that energy and the “fun” nature of hip hop when she takes to the stage.
Eden said dancing with the Eighty8 Dance Company has been an opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships.
She has competed as part of the A.O.K dance crew at a number of competitions, including the Australian Dance Crew Championships and House of Champions last year.
Eden shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon and is eager to keep competing with the Eighty8 Dance Company in future.
PHOENIX NG WUN
Twelve-year-old Phoenix is a competitive up-and-comer in the hip hop dance scene.
He has danced with the Eighty8 Dance Company for five years now.
Phoenix says what he enjoys most about hip hop is “the competition and working as a team.”
In 2018, Phoenix competed with a junior crew, the Raiders, at the World Supremacy Battlegrounds and made it through to the finals in Sydney.
He also competed at the Australian Dance Crew Championships last year as both a soloist and with Eighty8 dance crew A.O.K.
A.O.K placed second as a team, and Phoenix placed third in the junior soloist category.
Phoenix also competed with A.O.K at House of Champions last year, where the crew placed third.
He is looking forward to competing both as a soloist and with the dance crew in future.
NAKISO NYASHANU
This competitive 15-year-old is leading the way for the Studio of Performing Arts’ most talented young hip hop stars.
Later this year, she will be heading a line-up of 15 students to compete at the 2022 Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) Queensland State Scholarships.
In 2021, Nyashanu won the gold medal at the ATOD Queensland State Intermediate Hip Hop Competition.
Always reaching higher, Nyashanu is excited to test her merit this year in the senior division.
HANNAH OWENS
At just six years old, Hannah is already an Irish dance star in the making.
Hannah started dancing at Watkins Academy of Irish Dance in Karana Downs just before COVID-19 lockdowns commenced in 2020.
Principal teacher Sheryl Watkins said Hannah “absolutely blossomed” in their online classes that year.
What makes Hannah stand out, according to Ms Watkins, is a combination of her “natural gift” for Irish dancing and also her love for the craft.
“She never stops dancing and will go home after classes and continue dancing,” said Ms Watkins.
Hannah placed fourth in her very first State Championships last year, and later in the year won the 2021 Queensland Premierships in her level and age group.
This year, Hannah has already participated in two Brisbane competitions and taken home gold medals.
She is currently working towards the 2022 Queensland State Championships and will travel to Sydney in July to compete in the prestigious 2022 Australian International Oireachtas.
“The best thing about Hannah is that she beams the entire time she is dancing – whether it be at class, in a display or at a competition,” said Ms Watkins. “That enjoyment is what we put first and foremost as she is still so young.”
EMMA-KAY SCOTT
This determined 15-year old started dancing at Ipswich State High School in year seven and has loved dance ever since.
Emma-Kay has achieved excellence in a number of dance styles throughout her training at Ipswich State High School.
She is on a scholarship with the school’s dance excellence program, and juggles her passion for dance with her dedication to her education.
Emma-Kay is currently working towards completing her ATAR and entering midwifery at university.
CAINE THOMPSON
Twelve-year-old Caine simply “loves to move” and has come into his own through hip hop.
Now in his sixth year at the Eighty8 Dance Company, he was one of the very first students to join when it first opened in 2016.
Caine has competed as part of the A.O.K dance crew at a number of competitions, including the Australian Dance Crew Championships and House of Champions last year.
Caine said he loves competing and doesn’t see himself stopping anytime soon.
Caine the rest of A.O.K currently has its sights set on scoring high at the Australian Dance Crew Championships towards the end of May. Also competing from the Eighty8 Dance Company will be the under 10s minis crew ‘Hush’, and the 12-16s varsity crew ‘Sin Nombre’.
KATIE TOBIN
Fifteen-year old Katie loves the thrill of competing with her peers.
She started dancing when she began attending Ipswich State High School, and has since flourished in its dance program.
Katie is on a scholarship with the school’s dance excellence program and is currently working towards completing her ATAR studies, with hopes to become a nurse when she graduates.
BIANCA ULUILAKEPA
Bianca, 10, embraces the fun and team spirit of hip hop in her dancing.
After just one year with the Eighty8 dance company, Bianca said it has been “fun place to meet new family.”
Bianca loves the community-focused mindset of the studio, and said she enjoys hip hop in particular because there’s “lots of groove in it.”
She has competed as part of the A.O.K dance crew at a number of competitions, including the Australian Dance Crew Championships and House of Champions last year.
Bianca is excited to keep learning and pushing herself further in future competitions.
The Eighty8 Dance Studio will be holding several fundraisers in the coming weeks to raise money for their dance crews’ competition expenses for upcoming Australian Dance Crew Championships.
JENNIFER VU
This 16-year-old jazz superstar has truly come into her own through dance.
Jennifer excels in her roles at the Studio of Performing Arts Springfield – as both student and assistant teacher.
In her new teaching position, Jennifer enjoys sharing her lifelong passion for dance with the next generation.
Still a fierce competitor in her own right, she will compete in the QLD State Senior jazz competition for the second year running later this year.
GABBY WATSON
This dedicated 14-year-old has been dancing since she was just two.
Gabby travels to the Studio of Performing Arts Springfield from Canterbury College four days each week to pursue her commitment to dance.
Later this year, Gabby will compete in two sections at the Queensland State Scholarships in both classical ballet and jazz.
She is also studying her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management at the Studio of Performing Arts, with hopes that she can share her talents as a dance teacher one day.
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