Brisbane’s best dancers: 60 young dancers to watch
When it comes to jazz, ballet and contemporary, Brisbane has plenty of star talent — as young as six right up to the age of 21. See who makes the list and where they train.
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We put a call out to dance studios across Brisbane to find the best young dancers -- and we got plenty of responses.
Here are 60, who are among our most talented up-and-coming dancers.
Madison Audus
Madison Audus, 17, is currently in her final year of Advanced 2 ballet at Sayers Dance Centre in Kenmore. She’s been dancing there since she was three years old.
Madison has had a lot of opportunities over the years, but one of her favourites was dancing for Ballet Theatre of Queensland in two shows: Coppélia and Cinderella.
Madison’s ultimate dream would be to end up dancing overseas, however she wouldn’t mind getting into teaching or choosing a profession, such as nutrition, with links to the ballet industry.
“No matter if I’m sick or tired, I can’t go through the day without performing any sort of movement, whether it be a random penche as I pick something up off the ground, or a sudden turn on the tiles in the bathroom,” she said.
Omar Abiad
Omar Abiad, 15, specialises in tap, jazz and ballet at Conroy Dance Centre in Brendale.
He loves dancing because it allows him to be himself.
The young dancer already has some stage experience under his belt. Omar played the lead role of Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical Australian Tour 2019/2020.
On what’s next for him, he plans to keep doing what he loves, which is performing and entertaining people.
Tessa Barry
Tessa Barry, 14, has trained in a variety of dance styles ranging from jazz, ballet and lyrical, however her favourites are commercial and traditional contemporary.
Tessa credits her training at Danzart Studio in Seven Hills for her recent successes, which saw the 14-year-old successfully audition for Merge Dance Theatre this year and in 2020.
“Dance is part of who I am,” she said. “I honestly don’t know who I would be without it.
“It challenges me in ways nothing else can, motivating me to become a better dancer and to keep going when things in life get tough.”
Tessa said she would love to work full-time as a dancer after school.
Phoebe Burkitt
Phoebe Burkitt, 15, has danced at All That Dance in The Gap since she was four years old. She trains in ballet, contemporary, jazz, acro and musical theatre, but specialises in ballet.
Aside from her training at All That Dance, Phoebe has also spent the last three years performing with youth contemporary company RB Corp. Instruction.
Once she finishes high school, she plans to study medicine and still do dancing on the side.
“I love the feeling of performing,” she said. “It’s also lovely to be able to dance alongside my friends.”
Nadine Mae Cabrera
Nadine Mae Cabrera, 11, has been dancing with Centenary Dance Academy in Sumner since she was six years old.
She specialises in classical ballet and hopes to one day be part of the Queensland Ballet Academy.
Nadine was recently chosen as one of the finalists in the Royal Academy of Dance’s (RAD) Jacqueline Morland Awards 2022, where she took home the runner-up award.
“I have [also] received a distinction for all my RAD examinations,” she said.
Ever Jewel Chaffey
Ever Jewel Chaffey from Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy in Morningside may only be 12 years old but she’s already danced with the Ballet Theatre of Queensland in two shows: Coppélia and Cinderella.
Earlier this year she was also chosen to perform with the Ballet International Gala.
“I met and shared the stage with not only Australian but international ballerinas and ballerinas,” she said. “It was a dream come true!”
Ever hopes to join a professional company like the Australian Ballet in the future.
“I just love to perform, it gives me an energy rush.”
Mia Conroy
Mia Conroy, 9, who trains in jazz tap and ballet at Conroy Dance Theatre in Brendale loves performing and being on stage.
She was recently cast as a lead character in Christmas in Storyland.
Mia hopes to still be dancing in the future with plans to work in musical theatre.
“One great thing about dancing is that you get to make lots of new friends and everyone is so kind,” she said.
Ed Cooley
Ed Cooley just loves to dance.
“The stage is my home,” the 16-year-old from Queensland College of Dance in Kedron said.
Some of Ed’s most recent achievements include an invitation to the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York, winning the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge Intermediate award, taking home the Level 4 gong at the Jacqueline Morland Awards and coming second place in the Supreme A category at the Alana Haines Australasian Awards.
“In five years [time], I see myself having competed in the Prix De Lausanne and also moving to London and joining the Royal Ballet Company.”
Oriel Copeland
Oriel Copeland, 17, has been dancing since she was two years old.
“It’s essentially all I’ve ever known,” she said.
Oriel who specialises in contemporary at Bayside Dance in Wynnum has been lucky enough to be part of many ensembles and performances, but one of her favourite achievements is getting to perform at QPAC.
“It’s an awesome feeling going from being an audience member to actually being on stage,” she said.
Oriel’s future plans include continuing her studies in dance, performing and teaching.
Hugh Cowan
Hugh Cowan, 14, from The Premier Dance Academy in Milton specialises in ballet.
“I love going to ballet class each day and feeling like I am reaching new goals,” he said.
Hugh recently won the encouragement award at the Jacqueline Morland Awards.
“I was thrilled to have received this award as the talent in my category was extremely high.
“In five years, it would be a dream come true to have made it into a ballet company, to feel like all the previous years of hard work have paid off.”
Grace Cruwys
Grace Cruwys, 14, from Sayers Dance Centre in Kenmore specialises mostly in ballet but also dabbles in contemporary and jazz.
Some of her proudest achievements include being awarded a scholarship to Queensland Ballet Academy from Ballet Theatre Queensland, who she has danced with for three years.
She’s also performed solo in New Zealand as part of the Alana Haines Australasian Awards in 2019.
“In five years time, I see myself finishing at Sayers Dance Centre, graduating school and moving to New Zealand to study ballet and contemporary at New Zealand School of Dance,” she said.
Cleo Davis
Cleo Davis, 10, from Conroy Dance Theatre in Brendale has been dancing since she was two.
“Dancing gives me joy,” she said. “I also love my dance friends.”
Cleo, who specialises in a range of dance styles such as musical theatre and song and dance, has no fear of dancing in front of large audiences.
She’s been part of the Starz Production Team, the company behind Brisbane’s many Christmas parades and dances, for the past three years.
She also made her acting debut as Ellie in Steve Pirie’s award-winning play Return to the Dirt last year.
Amy Davison
Amy Davison, 13, from Footlights Dance Studio in Deagon loves dancing because it’s fun and a great way to meet new people.
“I really love the energy of a jazz class, but I also enjoy learning ballet and tap,” she said.
Amy also loves musical theatre and has been lucky enough to perform in a number of shows over the years. She’s also looking forward to her upcoming performance exam later this year.
In five years time, she hopes to be studying acting.
Holly Dimoska
Since the age of three, Holly Dimoska has been dancing. She’s now 14 years old and specialises in ballet, contemporary and jazz at Bayside Dance in Wynnum.
The last year has been pretty busy for the aspiring dancer. Last year she was honoured with an award and a scholarship from her dance school and earned honours with distinction in her exams.
More recently, she was accepted into the Talent Development Program at her dance school.
Holly has also been a performer at the Royal Easter Show for three years in a row and was a former cheerleader for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
In the next five years, Holly would like to further her studies in dance and music, adding her dream is to tour the world as a dancer and sing and produce her own music.
Lily Dixon
Lily Dixon, 11, from Designed 2 Dance in Everton Park enjoys all styles of dance but her favourite is jazz.
Lily said one of her greatest achievements so far was getting picked to be part of the dance troupe at her high school this year.
“[it’s] my first year so that was really exciting,” she said.
She also performed in her first Christmas concert with her dance studio last year.
Lily’s plans to continue dancing in concerts and eisteddfods and maybe try her hand at teaching in the near future.
Mia Dorrstein
Mia Dorrstein, 9, is a student at the Brisbane Academy of Dance in Stafford. She specialises in ballet, jazz, lyrical and contemporary.
Mia has been fortunate enough to have been offered a place in the Queensland Ballet Academy’s Foundation Program. She has also successfully auditioned for Brisbane City Youth Ballet’s production of The Wizard of Oz and Merge Dance Theatre’s Junior Training Program for 2022.
“In five years time, I would love to be training with The Australian Ballet School or keep striving to achieve more with Queensland Ballet Academy.”
Millie Dymock
Millie Dymock, 15, is a versatile dancer who dabbles in a range of dance styles such as jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical and hip-hop.
And her hard work is paying off. In 2019, Millie was awarded the most improved classical ballet award. A year later she took home the most improved tapper award.
Her biggest achievement, however, was winning the most outstanding overall performer award in 2021, which came with a scholarship to her dance studio Sharee Skye Dance Centre in Toowong.
“It took me a while to get to the point and skill level I am at now, but it was definitely worth all the years of hard work and training,” she said.
“I see myself growing [into] a skilled and knowledgeable dance teacher. I love helping other students improve.”
Samuel Esposito
Samuel Esposito, 12, from the Brisbane Academy of Dance in Stafford loves dancing because he gets to do it with friends.
Some of his achievements include coming first in a jazz duo at an eisteddfod and choreographing his own tap routine for his primary school graduation.
“I love dancing and performing on stage,” he said.
“In five years time, I would like to be as good as Michael Dameski.”
Corey Gibb
Corey Gibb, 15, has been dancing at Danzart Studio in Seven Hills for a number of years now and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“There’s nothing else in the world that gives me the same feeling of stepping out onto stage and performing my heart out,” he said.
Corey specialises in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and acro.
He hopes to have a future in dance working as a performer on a well-known cruise ship.
Sophia Gougoulas
Sophia Gougoulas, 14, knew she wanted to be a ballerina from a young age. And that’s exactly what she became.
However, it hasn’t been without its challenges.
In 2020, Sophia was diagnosed with scoliosis. She was told she would never dance again.
Sophia knew this was not an option for her, so together with her teachers at Danzart Studio in Seven Hills, her family and physio, she worked towards getting better.
“I have only [gotten] stronger and better as a dancer and I’m defying all the odds,” she said.
In just a few days, she will be performing as Ursula’s daughter Vanessa in The Little Mermaid.
Sophia’s dream is to continue to dance, hopefully in a ballet company overseas in the future.
She would also like to study at Oxford University in London and get a degree in business.
Ella Harding
Ella Harding, 19, has spent the last 15 years training in all areas of dance. However, for the last two years, she’s been channelling all her efforts into musical theatre.
Ella, who dances at the Queensland College of Dance in Kedron, was a competitive soloist in her mid teenage years winning a number of scholarships, however she reckons her greatest achievements are the small wins she’s experiencing now as she awaits “gig-life”.
“Achievements such as getting your leg to its full height, singing the difficult note, embracing a character, hitting the beats and being cheered on by your mentors and peers,” she said.
Ella hopes to still be performing in the next five years.
Maddie Hart
Maddie Hart, 6, from Designed 2 Dance in Everton Park loves to dance because the music is great and she gets to learn cool dance moves.
She also loves performing on stage with everyone.
Her favourite dance styles are hip-hop and contemporary.
In the future, Maddie hopes to be part of more concerts and continue learning cool dance moves.
Addison Houston
For 13-year-old Addison Houston, dancing is her home away from home.
“I love learning new skills in such an encouraging environment,” she said.
Addison, who trains in ballet, contemporary and jazz at Bayside Dance in Wynnum, is pretty chuffed that she’s now perfected her needle and over-splits.
She has also made it into her dance studio’s performance program for the second year in a row.
In five years time, Addison would like to be dance captain at her school and doing more solos and group performances.
Charlotte Jarrett
Charlotte Jarret, 11, specialises in jazz, ballet and contemporary at Footlights Dance Studio.
Some of her proudest achievements include dancing at the Royal Academy of Dance Jacqueline Morland Awards, Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce‘s Jingle All the Bay show and at local school fetes.
“I have also been fortunate to attend the Queensland Ballet Junior Friends Class and Ballet Theatre Queensland Open Class,” she said.
Charlotte hopes to continue dancing at Footlights Dance Studio in Deagon, strengthening her body and technique even further.
Talia Knipe
Talia Knipe, 11, trains in hip-hop at Designed 2 Dance in Everton Park.
“I love to express myself and have fun,” she said.
She said one of her greatest accomplishments was getting picked for her dance studio’s Performing Crew.
In the next five years, Talia still sees herself performing and having fun.
Grace Mattner
Grace Mattner, 11, has been working towards her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer for a number of years now.
She trains at Centenary Dance Academy in Sumner and has been training in the Queensland Ballet Academy’s Foundation Program since last year.
She’s also set to perform in Brisbane City Youth Ballet’s production of The Wizard of Oz in July.
“I’m so blessed to be supported and inspired by such wonderful and expert teachers at Centenary Dance Academy and Queensland Ballet Academy,” Grace said.
“I’m excited to see where my dance training will lead me.”
Isabella Magnus
Isabella Magnus, 16, from The Premier Dance Academy in Milton specialises in classical ballet and contemporary dance.
Isabella has been dancing in the Interstate Training Program with The Australian Ballet School for the last five years.
Most recently, she danced with Ballet Theatre Queensland in their 2022 season of Coppelia at QPAC. She was also one of the finalists at this year‘s Royal Academy of Dance Jacqueline Morland Awards.
“I know for sure that in five years time I would still love dance to be a big part of my life. I hope to have performed at a professional level with a company, whether it be dancing classical ballet or contemporary.”
Mackenzie McCann
Mackenzie McCann, 11, specialises in hip-hop and contemporary dance at Bayside Dance in Wynnum.
She loves learning new tricks and skills.
“In acro earlier this year, I got my roundoff back tuck, which was so exciting, and I’ve been working on perfecting my fouettes,” she said.
Mackenzie is looking forward to becoming a senior dancer at her studio and at school in the next couple of years.
“I’m looking forward to being a role model for the younger dancers,” she said.
Chloe McDrury
Chloe McDrury, 14, has been dancing at Danzart Studio in Seven Hills since she could talk and walk.
She trains in a range of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre.
Chloe received the highest mark in Queensland for her Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Grade 7 theatrical exam in 2021.
“In five years, I hope to be dancing and have a contract with either Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean International,” she said.
Martika McGown
Martika McGown, 16, has been dancing most of her life. She specialises in commercial styles of jazz and lyrical.
“Dance gives me so much enjoyment and continuously makes me happy,” she said.
“There is always a leap, turn or jump that can be improved. Seeing this improvement is really rewarding and has given me a good worth ethic.”
In 2021, Martika was selected to be part of the highly-regarded training program Dream Creative Gold Coast.
Over the years, she’s also been selected to be in multiple contemporary dance companies, such as Innate Dance Company in 2017, 2018 and 2019, Locreado in 2019 and Australasian Dance Collective in 2021.
Along with her busy dance schedule, she’s also had the time to work as a teaching assistant at her dance studio Danzart Studio in Seven Hills.
Martika plans to enrol into a full-time dance school after high school before she makes her mark in the industry professionally.
Lizzy McKay
Lizzy McKay’s favourite dance styles are contemporary and acro.
“I love [dancing] because it’s like having another family,” the 8-year-old said.
Lizzy, who trains at Brisbane Academy of Dance in Stafford, said one of her biggest achievements was learning a solo routine and performing in front of an audience.
Toby McMahon
Toby McMahon, 9, dances at Brisbane Dance Theatre in Coorparoo. He enjoys learning different dance techniques, dancing to different music and having fun with his classmates.
He’s also “very proud” of the fact that he can now go flat in his middle splits and can do a penche into forward roll.
“I have also built my strength to a point that I can now partner some of the girls in my ballet class,” he said.
Toby’s achievements don’t stop there. For the last four years, he has performed as a soloist in his studio’s performance troupe group.
“[In the next five years], I see myself dancing in my studio’s senior groups, doing aerials and more complicated dancers.”
Bronte Rose Mollison
Bronte Rose Mollison, 14, from Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy in Morningside loves how ballet makes her feel.
“It’s a beautiful art form that requires a lot of determination and dedication and I love constantly striving to be my best,” she said.
Bronte has been a Youth America Grand Prix finalist for the past two years in a row and has won Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge twice.
She also holds a dancing principal role as Swanhilda in Coppélia with Ballet Theatre Queensland.
“[In the next five years], I hope to see myself on the way to dancing professionally with a ballet company.”
Joseph Moss
At the age of 10, Joseph Moss, who’s now 18, began ballet training at Centenary Dance Academy in Sumner. Two years later, he successfully secured a place with the Queensland Ballet Academy‘s Associate Program.
Joseph said one of his greatest achievements so far has been graduating from Queensland Ballet Academy and being awarded a position in the Pre-Professional Program.
He’s also appeared in many stage productions including Queensland Ballet’s Nutcracker production for 2015, 2016 and 2018, and The Royal Ballet’s Woolf Works when they toured Brisbane in 2017.
Joseph loves classical ballet because it allows him to express himself both physically and emotionally.
“Ballet is an amazing combination of elegance, strength and storytelling.”
Aria Powell
Aria Powell, 12, from Ascot School of Dance in Hamilton has been working towards becoming a professional dancer since she was little. She specialises in classical ballet but also enjoys pom.
“An achievement that I am proud of is making it into the Kelvin Grove Dance Excellence Program, which is a feeder program for Queensland Ballet,” she said.
In five years time, she hopes to be part of the Queensland Ballet Academy.
Elena Raben
Elena Raben, 12, specialises in ballet at Sayers Dance Centre in Kenmore. She also enjoys a range of other dance styles such as contemporary, jazz and dance performance.
Elena said she’s passionate about dance because it’s fun and she has great teachers.
“I have also made many friends who love to dance as much as I do.
“In five years time, I see myself still dancing as a part of the Sayers Dance family and hopefully sharing my passion with others in performing and teaching,” she said.
Jackie Radovanovic
Jackie Radovanovic, 7, loves dancing because it makes her feel happy.
“[When] I’m dancing, I forget about [all the] bad things,” Jackie said.
She also loves making new friends.
Jackie’s dancing career is already off to a bright start. She won first place in the classical ballet category at the 2022 Showcase Australian Dance Championships.
“I love being a part of the Performance Dance teams at Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy,” she said.
Taylah Rohweder
For 21-year-old Taylah Rohweder from Queensland College of Dance in Kedron, dance has been such a big part of her life.
“It has shaped my personality,” she said.
Taylah’s hard work and dedication to the sport has definitely paid off.
Last year alone, she placed first in the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition, received a scholarship to the Queensland Ballet Academy, received her first Royal Academy of Dance solo seal (highest examination for a dancer) and was accepted into the Helsinki International Ballet Competition next month.
Within the next five years, Taylah hopes to be working for a company overseas.
Caitlin Rowland
Caitlin Rowland, 18, from Sharee Skye Dance Centre in Toowong loves being able to express herself through her movements.
“I love the challenge,” she said. “I also love the friendships I have made through dance.”
Caitlin said one of her biggest achievements was being selected to perform as a senior member in Merge Dance Theatre last year.
Caitlin hopes for a future in teaching dance, as well as choreography.
Chloe De Los Santos
Chloe De Los Santos, 15, is a dancer at JAL School of Dance in Annerley. She specialises in jazz and hip-hop, but can do all styles of dance, even Latin and afro styles.
Chloe is pretty proud of her journey so far and has been in a ton of great performances. She had the opportunity to dance alongside The Next Step on their tour.
She also enjoys competing in solos.
In the future, Chloe said she’d like to dance with The Lab in the United States or act.
Lucy Sadler
Lucy Sadler, 10, specialises in ballet at the Brisbane Academy of Dance in Stafford.
She has recently been accepted into the foundation program at Queensland Ballet Academy
“This year I also started solo competitions and was placed first at a recent eisteddfod.
“In five years [time], I would still like to be training at [Brisbane Academy of Dance] and [Queensland Ballet Academy]. I would also like to be a contemporary dancer, which I have started learning this year.”
Amy Schwartz
Amy Schwartz, 14, from JAL School of Dance in Annerley says there’s nothing she likes to do more than dance.
“It just makes me feel so happy.”
Amy, who primarily focuses on tap and jazz, was the recipient of five championships last year.
But it doesn’t stop there! She’s about to join The Dream Collective on the Gold Coast and was just accepted into Merge Dance Theatre.
Amy hopes in the next five years she’ll be advanced enough to audition for the Radio City Rockettes in New York City.
Bailey Seal
Bailey Seal, 15, from Brisbane Dance Theatre in Coorparoo dances because she finds it “physically, emotionally and socially meaningful”.
“Dance is a form of expression,” she said. “You can lose yourself in the music.”
Over the previous two summers, Bailey has been selected to dance at the Queensland Ballet Academy Summer School.
During the last five years, she has also participated in Conservatoire of Ballet‘s classical ballet training and examination program, receiving consecutive distinction awards.
Matilda Shanks
Matilda Shanks, 14, specialises in ballet, but she also loves other dance styles such as lyrical, contemporary and jazz.
Matilda said one of her greatest achievements so far was receiving a distinction mark in her most recent ballet exam. She also received a high mark in her Level Four Australian Conservatoire of Ballet syllabus exam last year.
Matilda has also had the opportunity to dance under Margaret Lucas from Queensland Ballet in Kelvin Grove State College’s dance excellence program, which she is very proud of.
“My teachers there, along with my teachers at Brisbane Dance Theatre, have helped me improve [a lot] over the years,” she said.
In the future, Matilda hopes to join a dance company such as the Queensland Ballet to further her classical training. From there, she would like to join a contemporary dance company like Australasian Dance Collective.
Archie Terrance Shorrock
Archie Terrance Shorrock, 10, is a dancer at Sayers Dance Centre in Kenmore. He specialises in ballet.
When asked why he is so passionate about dance, Terrance replied with: “I feel happy and it takes all my worries away from me.”
In the future Terrance would like to help out with teaching.
Abigail Sidharta
Abigail Sidharta loves dancing because it makes her happy.
The 11-year-old reckons she’s improved a lot over the years, which for her is a great achievement.
However, in 2021 she did win a scholarship with her dance studio Sharee Skye Dance Centre in Toowong.
On what’s next in her journey, she hopes to get into a curriculum that focuses on dancing and the arts.
“Always be grateful and enjoy the experiences of learning new things,” she said.
Poppy Smart
Poppy Smart, 11, from Conroy Dance Centre in Brendale, dances across all styles of dance, but her favourites are jazz, lyrical and tap.
“I was a very shy child,” she said. “Dance gave me the confidence I needed to help with that.”
Poppy may be 11 years old but she’s already competed in multiple competitions. She also won a tap scholarship at the ADA championships in 2019 and successfully auditioned for the 2021 Christmas in Storyland production.
In the next five years, Poppy hopes her dancing will take her overseas.
Grace Smith
Grace Smith’s dance journey began at the age of five.
The 17-year-old is now a senior member of Merge Dance Theatre in Kedron and last year had the honour of performing a soloist role in the production 5ENSES.
This year is already looking busy for the aspiring dancer who is choreographing a routine for Albany Creek State High School’s Junior Dance Excellence cohort.
When asked where she’d like to see herself in the next five years, Grace said she’d love to be performing in Europe with Dutch contemporary dance company Nederlands Dans Theater.
Harli Star
Harli Star from Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy in Morningside dances because it makes her feel good.
The seven-year-old, who specialises in ballet, said she did great at the Supreme Maleny dance competition last year, where she aced the dance move attitude leap.
“If you have a dream you can always achieve it,” she said.
Phoebe Strike
Phoebe Strike, 16, who specialises in contemporary dance at Queensland College of Dance in Kedron, loves dancing because it allows her to express herself.
Phoebe’s proudest achievements include coming runner up in the Jacqueline Morland Awards and receiving a secondment to Sydney Dance Company.
In the future, Phoebe hopes to teach dance and support the new generation of dancers.
Tahlia Szumowski
For 15-year-old Tahlia Szumowski from Queensland College of Dance in Kedron, dance is everything.
“It’s such a hard yet rewarding passion,” she said. “It lets me express myself in ways that nothing else does.”
Tahlia, who specialises in ballet, has quite the number of achievements under her belt.
Last year she was the winner of the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge ballet scholarship. In 2020 and 2021, she was invited to participate in the Australian School of Ballet’s Invitee program. And in 2020, she was also awarded a short-term scholarship to John Cranko Schule in Germany.
“In five years time, I [can] see myself dancing in a leading ballet company and touring the world.”
Kiana Talefenua
Kiana Talefenua, 16, grew up around dance so it only seemed fitting she would foster a career in the arts.
Kiana trains in all styles of dance at JAL School of Dance in Annerley, but she enjoys hip-hop the most.
“I’m proud to say I’ve been a background artist in a couple of movies and shows,” she revealed.
Kiana hopes in the next five years to have a performing job in either Los Angeles or New York City.
“I won’t give up and I will keep pushing and trying to achieve my goals,” she said.
Lisa Verstraten
After Lisa Verstraten graduated from high school in 2020, she was at a crossroads in her life.
“I really struggled to know what path to go down,” the 19-year-old said. “Should I take the university route or should I venture into the performing arts industry?”
Lisa went with her gut and enrolled full-time into Queensland College of Dance in Kedron.
“Queensland College of Dance welcomed me with open arms,” she said.
“In five years time, I would love to be living and performing overseas at either Le Moulin Rouge, Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan.”
Caitlin Volker
Caitlin Volker, 14, who has been dancing with Sayers Dance Centre in Kenmore since she was five, specialises in ballet, however she also enjoys contemporary and jazz.
In 2021, she was a semi-finalist at the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge, and in 2021 and 2022 she was a finalist at the Jacqueline Morland Awards.
For the last three years she has also successfully auditioned for Ballet Theatre Queensland. She also won a one-week scholarship to the Queensland Ballet Academy last year.
At the moment, Caitlin would like to continue to improve her dance skills and take on any performance opportunities.
Emma Walton
Emma Walton, 21, from the Ascot School of Dance in Hamilton has achieved a lot over the years.
She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (dance performance) with distinction, the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and is also a recipient of the Australasian Dance Collective Scholarship.
She’s also the grand champion for hip-hop, pom, lyrical and jazz in multiple states and has performed in two movies.
In the near future, Emma would love to dance professionally around the world and audition for roles at Disneyland, on cruise ships and the Radio City Rockettes in New York City.
“I would also love to continue teaching and hopefully one day run my own dance school,” she said.
“I’d like to thank my ballet teacher and principal of Ascot School of Dance Marilyn Culpitt.
“She has been one of my biggest supporters. I couldn’t have made it this far without her.”
Ruby Ware
Ruby Ware, 14, is very passionate about dance and believes it’s a way of bringing people together.
Her favourite styles of dance are tap, jazz and hip-hop, however she also has experience in contemporary, musical theatre, acro and ballet.
Some of Ruby’s dance achievements include receiving the highest mark for her Grade 5 tap exam last year, performing at events like the Ekka and Somerville Ball, and being awarded a perpetual trophy and a full-year scholarship at Brisbane Dance Theatre in Coorparoo for this year.
She’s also a teacher assistant at her dance school.
In the future, Ruby would like to help teach dance around Europe.
“I think it would be amazing to experience dance in another country,” she said.
Isla White
Isla White trains at Conroy Dance Theatre in Brendale and dabbles in many styles of dance such as jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, acro and song and dance.
The 15-year-old recently had the opportunity to play the role of Amanda Thripp in the Australasia/New Zealand tour of Matilda the Musical.
“That was an absolutely amazing experience I will treasure for life,” she said.
On where she’d like to see herself in the next five years, Isla said she’d love to be a performer at Disneyland.
Brooke Whillans
Brooke Whillans, 17, from Footlight Dance Studio in Deagon specialises in jazz, contemporary and tap.
She’s currently completing her exams to become a dancing teacher, while also completing a Bachelor of Biomedical science at UQ.
Brooke has performed a number of times on stage, including at the Ekka, as part of Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce‘s Jingle All the Bay production and at many Westfield Group events.
Brooke is planning on studying medicine after her bachelor’s degree while continuing dancing and teaching.
“Dancing has always been a major part of my life,” she said.
Stella
Stella, 14, from Ascot School of Dance in Hamilton specialises in ballet. She loves dance because it inspires her to work hard.
In 2018, she was selected as a dancer for the CSTD Grade 4 Syllabus DVD. Last year, she received a distinction for her Intermediate RAD ballet exam.
In the next few years, Stella hopes to have completed more of the RAD ballet exams and performed on many more stages.
Taliah
For Taliah, dance has always been a big part of her life.
“It allows me to express [my] emotions, which I think is beautiful,” the 18-year-old said.
Tahlia, who trains in contemporary dance and showgirl/commercial at Merge Dance Theatre in Kedron, said a big highlight of her career was her recent involvement with Dancelab on a film called Hinged.
“This film focuses on mental health,” she said. “I’m so grateful to have been part of the creative process of this film.
In five years time, Taliah hopes to have gained more experience working individually and with many other choreographers and artists. She would also like to try her hand at teaching.
“I can’t wait to be able to pass my knowledge onto the younger generation,” she said. “Teaching is something I truly enjoy.”
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