Lara Rudling: Box Hill dancer at Caper School of Performing Arts, Bella Vista wins big at Kids Artistic Revue National Finals

Meet the 12-year-old dancer who travelled across the world to represent Australia at the Kids Artistic Revue (KAR) national finals — where she was the sole recipient of the “future star award”.

A Box Hill 12-year-old has taken the dancing world by storm, crowned “Miss Junior Dance America” when representing Australia alongside some of the world’s best young dancers at the Kids Artistic Revue (KAR) national final in California.

Lara Rudling performed four solo performances as part of ‘Team Australia’, which featured 11 talented dancers who competed alongside the very best from countries such as Mexico, USA, Italy and Japan.

Even though there were 3123 solo and group dances at KAR, Lara managed to shine as one of the very best up-and-coming talents.

The 12-year-old’s Broadway Jazz solo “I Gotcha” received the highest score in her age division, earning her the distinction of being awarded “Miss Junior America” as well as being the only junior dancer to receive the prestigious “future star award”.

The Hills Shire Times caught up with Lara Rudling and her mum, Wendy, to talk about her incredible success and where her love of dance all began.

Lara Rudling performing her Broadway Jazz “I Gotcha” solo at KAR.

Lara’s family emigrated from South Africa when she was three-years-old and she immediately commenced dance lessons at Bella Vista’s Caper School of Performing Arts — where she still continues to train.

“They’re amazing,” Ms Rudling said of sisters Kate and Beth Valdez, who own the Bella Vista dance studio. “The amount of time they dedicate to their students and I’m just so grateful for all they’ve done to help Lara.”

Lara Rudling was crowned “Miss Junior Dance America”.

At the “Get The Beat” national dance finals in December, Lara was crowned the “pre-junior champion of champions” by achieving the overall highest score in her age group.

It was here Lara brought the house down with her Broadway Jazz performance of “Dancin’ Fool” and earned her ticket to America as part of ‘Team Australia’ at KAR.

“I love dancing because I love being with my friends, supporting them at competitions, practising and training all together,” Lara said, adding it was much more of a team environment than people realise.

At KAR, Lara performed four solo dances, three of which were on the same day: a jazz solo, a lyrical piece, and then her favourite Broadway Jazz number, “Dancin’ Fool”.

Lara Rudling in action performing “I Gotcha”, a Broadway Jazz number.

“We have a real system, almost military style,” Ms Rudling said. “When there are three dances in one day — and all (the dances) happen within hours — we have different packs set up in order of the dances for quick change overs.”

The Broadway routine which earned Lara’s spot in the Australian team — “Dancin’ Fool” — was also the highest scoring solo act in KAR’s 9-11 age group.

But Lara’s successes didn’t end there: at KAR’s national title night 345 dancers performed their best solo dances and no styles are off limits — from ballet to tap to hip hop.

Once again, Lara chose Broadway Jazz and her performance of “I Gotcha” achieved the highest score in her age division, earning her the title “Miss Junior Dance America”.

But the biggest surprise was still to come, as Lara was the only junior dancer and solo performer in the entire competition to receive the “future star award”.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” Lara said. “I was actually told I would be handing out awards on that night so when they said my name I was like ‘wow, what is happening’.”

Ms Rudling said she would never forget the moment she heard Lara was the only junior dancer to receive the future star award.

“There were so many highs throughout the whole competition,” Ms Rudling said.

“But what I think made me really so emotional was knowing how hard Lara has worked and how much she loves it all, how much she loves dancing.”