South Burnett’s most promising young dance stars reveal their stories of success
The South Burnett 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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South Burnett’s best young dancers are already making names for themselves in their hometowns and beyond.
The region is home to an increasing population of young talent who perform in a range of styles.
Despite recent setbacks of COVID-19 and flooding, the instructors at the region’s dance schools have been unwavering in their efforts to provide quality classes to their talented students.
Ranked: South Burnett’s top performing NAPLAN schools
The region’s most promising young dance stars have come into their own through the art of dance.
Here is our list of talented up-and-comers and their stories.
Kyle Snow
The 18-year-old has been dancing since the age of two.
He dances ballet, acrobatics, contemporary, jazz, hi- hop.
Kyle has danced in three of Toowoomba Ballet Theatre’s Easter productions at the Empire Theatre and will also be dancing in this year’s Christmas production.
He competed at the Kingaroy and Maryborough Eisteddfods and was the recipient of the Joan Winter Memorial Trophy for the South Burnett Most Promising Dancer.
Kyle’s mother Samantha Snow said he was a core dancer in Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer live action film.
“Kyle has also been an assistant teacher for many years and has taught his own Boys Only Hip Hop class at both the Nanango and Kingaroy studios,” Mrs Snow said.
“Kyle thinks it is very important for boys to realise that it is ok to dance.
“He lives by the philosophy of taking his passion, making it happen, making the music come alive and he dances through life.”
In 2023 Kyle will be studying dance full time at Launch Performing Arts Centre on the Gold Coast.
Rhiannon Snow
Rhiannon is 15 years old and has been dancing for 13 years.
She dances ballet and pointe, tap, acrobatics, aerial, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and cabaret.
This year she will play the lead role of Gru in La Crème Dance Academy’s production of Despicable Me.
She has performed at three Toowoomba Ballet Theatre Easter productions.
Rhiannon has competed at the Kingaroy and Maryborough eisteddfods and received an award for most points scored in a duo.
Mum Samantha Snow said Rhiannon has also been an assistant teacher for many years and in 2023 she will be teaching classes at the Nanango and Kingaroy studios.
Rhiannon said when dancing the purpose is to let yourself make it happen.
“Enjoy each step along the way and enjoy life,” she said.
Talleah Smith
Talleah is 15 years old and studies eight genres including pointe, jazz, tap, cabaret, hip hop, acrobatics, aerial and contemporary.
She was awarded Most Entertaining Dancer consecutively for the past four years and has landed many lead roles in end of year concerts.
Talleah’s biggest achievement was being selected to dance in the featured dancer team in the Creative Generations’ state schools production All of Us in 2022.
Talleah said she loves being able to express herself through dance.
“My studio, La Crème Dance Academy Nanango, feels like a second home,” she said.
Charlotte Fechner
Charlotte is 11 years old and dances ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and aerial.
She has been dancing at LCDA for nine years and has completed exams receiving honours, two distinctions and one high distinction.
Charlotte competed at the Kingaroy and Sunshine Coast eisteddfods in 2021.
Charlotte said her future dance goal is to extend her skills and become an assistant dance teacher at LCDA.
“I love dancing, dance day is my favourite day of the week,” she said.
“I love how it gives you the freedom to express yourself through movement, it brings me so much joy.”
April Johnson
April is 11 years old and enjoys dancing ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap, aerial and acrobatics.
April entered dance exams for tap, jazz, acrobatics and aerial this year and was awarded distinctions for each.
She has been dancing with LCDA since 2018.
April said she loves her dance school and thinks her teachers are amazing.
Mum Kerry Hatchman said April loves attending her classes every week as she gets to learn new things.
“When April grows up she would like to become a dance teacher so she can teach all the little kids how to dance and have fun,” Mrs Hatchman said.
Ellie Eagleson
Ellie is 10 years old and dances ballet, acrobatics, hip-hop, jazz, tap, contemporary and musical theatre.
Ellie said her favourite part about dancing is getting up on stage.
“I love learning the dances and developing my skills and my teachers because they help everyone improve no matter who they are or what level of dancer they are,” she said.
Ellie’s parents Jess and David said watching Ellie dance makes their hearts so full.
“Her ability to perform on stage never ceases to amaze us,” they said.
Alysha Evans
Alysha is 7 years old and began dancing when she was 3.
She dances jazz, hip-hop, tap, ballet, acrobatics and aerial and competed in her first eisteddfod this year in a lyrical duo and placed second.
She received distinctions for the two exams she entered this year.
Alysha said she loves dancing because of the friends sh has made as well as performing in the end of year concerts.
Stephanie Madeley
Stephanie is 10 years old and began dancing at LCDA when she was 4.
She dances ballet, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, contemporary and aerial and is now moving onto tap.
In 2022 Stephanie achieved a distinction in level 3 acrobatic arts, a distinction in primary aerial hoop, honours for junior modern jazz and a highly commended in grade 2 classical ballet.
Stephanie said her favourite thing about dancing is learning new skills and making friends.
“I enjoy performing on stage and proving to myself that I can do it, I hope to teach dance when I am older,” she said.
Grace Bjelke-Petersen
Grace is 12 years old and enjoys dancing most styles, but musical theatre is her favourite to perform.
She loves dance exams and receiving feedback.
Grace’s mum Karyn Bjelke-Petersen said she loves her daughter dancing because it incorporates fitness, coordination and social skills.
“She belongs to a dance family,” Mrs Bjelke-Petersen said.
Grace said she likes to take on opportunities that come up, like different eisteddfods in different towns.
“I just want to keep getting better even if some parts or moves are hard at first,” she said.
Olivia Wellsteed
Olivia is turning 10 this month and studies jazz, ballet, tap, aeriel, contemporary, hip-hop and acrobatics.
She began dancing when she was aged four.
This year Olivia has completed numerous dance exams and has received distinctions for each one.
Olivia’s mother Renea Wellsteed said Olivia‘s commitment to dancing is exceptional.
“If for any reason she is unable to attend, she is always eager to catch up on anything she may have missed,” Mrs Wellsteed said.
Olivia said the best part about dance is having fun and the friendships she has made with all the other dancers.
Grace Cox
Grace is 11 years old and studies jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, acrobatics and aerial.
Grace’s mother Kailey Cox said Grace competed at the Kingaroy Eisteddfod as part of the under 12 jazz group, as well as sitting Level 1 and 2 acrobatic exams and gaining a distinction.
“Her favourite part of dancing is the feeling of achievement when she aces a new dance skill,” Mrs Cox said.
Grace said dancing makes her feel like a champion.
Keeley Schloss
Keeley is 17 years old and specialises in tap dancing.
She received a Senior Tap Encouragement Award at Kingaroy Eisteddfod in 2019 and Most Improved Dancer at Kingaroy Eisteddfod in 2018.
She received the Ally Walker Dance Academy scholarship in 2019.
Next year Keeley will begin studying a teachers certificate in tap dancing and will train all tap exam students at Amy Walker Dance Academy, Kingaroy.
Keeley said she loves the relaxed and supportive environment at the academy.
“As dancers, we leave footprints on the stage but dance teachers leave footprints on our hearts, I love seeing my students grow as dancers, gaining confidence and belief in themselves in their dancing,” Keeley said.
Summer Laherty
Summer is 11 years old and began dancing at the age of three, as advised by her paediatrician to help strengthen her legs.
Her mother Tanya Laherty said Summer fell in love with the craft.
Now she dances pointe, ballet, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, aerial and jazz.
“During her last exam Summer scored an excellent 98 per cent,” Mrs Laherty said.
“Through La Creme Dance Academy she was also nominated (to perform at the) eisteddfod for the 3rd year, coming home with 4th place with her trio.
“During the last 9 years Summer has forged some strong friendships with her classmates which has carried over into the school ground.”
Summer said she loves how dancing tells a story, with or without music.
Ada Kurz
Ada is 11 years old and dances tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, acrobatics, aerial and ballet.
In 2023 Ada will join the advanced program for acrobatics at LCDA.
Ada’s mother Jodie Kurz said Ada has an amazing ability where she can improvise and create a dance to unfamiliar music.
“Ada loves competition and at her first eisteddfod she received a Highly Commended as a solo artist, as well as regular classes she sits exams in ballet, jazz and acrobatics where she received outstanding feedback, a distinction and merit,” Mrs Kurz said.
“Dancing is her passion and comes so naturally to her, she enjoys every part of it.”
Eliyah Farmilo
Eliyah is 10 years old and dances acrobatics, aerial silks and hoops, ballet and tap.
Eliyah said tap is her fun class, acrobatics and ballet are for her strength and flexibility, while aerial is just awesome.
“My dance school helps us get our strengths and our teachers always help us to reach our goals, they know we can do it,” Eliyah said.
“I love it when they give me more challenging things, everyone there is so nice, the teachers, my friends, I never feel like I’m alone.”
Eliyah placed first in a group eisteddfod and has been graded as excellent in recent dance exams.
Evie Turner
Evie is six years old and studies acrobatics and ballet, she hopes to begin tap in 2023.
Evie completed her primary acrobatics dance exam with a distinction.
“I have made lots of friends and have the best teachers, when I grow up I would love to dance on stage and make people happy,” Evie said.
“The most important thing about dancing to me is having fun.”
Indi Bruce
Indi is 15 years old and studies tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, pointe and contemporary dancing.
She began dancing eight years ago and has performed and competed in eisteddfods across South East Queensland.
Indi said dance exams provide a great opportunity to grow as a dancer and she has achieved high results.
“In my opinion, there is nothing that compares to the feeling of being behind the curtain about to run onto stage, with the adrenaline rushing through your body,” Indi said.
Unique Clark
Unique is 7 years old and dances jazz, hip-hop, ballet, aerial and acrobatics.
She has placed highly at the Kingaroy eisteddfod over the past two years and has completed her level 1 acrobatic examinations with distinction.
Unique is excited about moving forward with her dance and learning new tricks.
Mother Selene McLachlan said Unique lives and breathes music and dance, using dance to express herself creatively.
Unique said dance makes her happy and she would dance all day if she could.
Henry Ditchburn
Henry is 10 years old and began studying hip hop at LCDA this year.
Henry said his favourite thing about dance is learning new dances and moves.
“I am very excited about being part of the end of year concert,” Henry said.
Meg Underwood
Meg is 17 years old and has been dancing for 11 years.
The Kingaroy State High School student was 14 when she started private lessons and progressed to classes in ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop.
She is an assistant teacher at the Ally Walker Dance Academy in musical theatre and cabaret.
Meg is a member of the Kingaroy SHS Dance Crew, Vocal Group and plays clarinet in the Symphonic Band.
She received the Shining Bright and Dedication awards from AWDA and the year 11 subject prize for Dance in 2022.
Aubrey Campbell
Aubey is 8 years and began dancing in kindergarten.
Aubrey’s mother Jacqueline Campbell said Aubrey is a versatile dancer and shows strength in all genres.
“This year she completed 5 exams in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics and aerial and received exceptional results,” Mrs Campbell said.
“As a tiny little bun-head she sat her very first exam when she was only 4 years of age.
“Aubrey has competed in the Kingaroy eisteddfod in groups, solos and duos in ballet and jazz and this year received the highest scoring duo in the competition.”
In 2023 Aubrey will dance in the South Burnett Musical Comedy Society’s production of Seussical.
Aubrey said her biggest inspiration comes from her big sister Kinzie and her beautiful teachers.
“I love dancing, I just can’t help it when my heart feels the beat my whole body moves to the sound, I just love it,” Aubrey said.
Ryder Luke
Ryder is 13 years old and began dancing when he was 10.
He dances tap, ballet, hip-hop, aerial and acrobatics.
Ryder’s mother Natalie Luke said this year Ryder sat his first tap exam and received excellent results.
“Ryder really loves his tap and it’s probably one of his favourites, he has been working on his backflip and back handspring from off the ground and successfully achieved it this year,” Natalie said.
“He was asked to perform this in this years concert in the hip-hop routine.
“Ryder‘s favourite part of dancing is pushing himself to extremes and learning hard things.”
Ryder said he is very committed and won’t let anyone tell him he can’t do something.
“I love the challenge of dancing and making friends,” he said.
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