Part II: Gold Coast’s best dancers from CK Academy, Dance Mafia, McNeill Academy, Industry Dance and Soul Dance
From performing in Montreal to appearing in a Circa production, these dancers wow audiences from across the world – and they all have one thing in common. Check out Part II of our deep dive into the region’s top 50 dancers.
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From performing in Montreal to appearing in a Circa production, these dancers wow audiences from across the world – and they all have one thing in common.
They hail from the Gold Coast or northern NSW.
Here is Part II of the region’s top 50 dancers.
One of them, Brax Blackmore, 10, specialises in acrobatics and circus mediums, skills he has been mastering since he was five.
Brax said the thought of being able to live his dream and make a career of dance helped push him.
“I constantly love learning and growing,” he said.
“When I achieve new skills, I feel a sense of power that makes me feel strong and proud of myself.”
SEE PART I: TOP 50 DANCERS ON THE COAST
SEE PART II: TOP 50 DANCERS ON THE COAST BELOW
CK ACADEMY
Lexi Kleinman, 11
Specialty: Acrobatics, circus, jazz, contemporary.
Studio owner Carlie Kendall said Lexi joined CK Academy when it opened in 2019.
“Lexi loves all things cirque, tumbling and handstand balancing,” she said.
“Lexi hopes that with her talent, tenacity and training this leads her to become a professional performer and travel the world.”
Ivy Jones, 11
Specialty: Jazz, acrobatics, lyrical, contemporary, circus.
Ivy is a dedicated and passionate performer who “belongs onstage”.
“She is such a versatile and strong artist specialising in all things dance, circus and acrobatics,” Studio owner Carlie Kendall said.
Ivy was accepted into elite training program Dream Creative in both 2021 and 2022.
“Ivy is a huge role model to the younger generation and wishes to use her talent in the performing industry wherever she can,” Ms Kendall said.
PART I: TOP 100 SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITIES ON THE COAST
Brax Blackmore, 10
Specialty: Acrobatics and circus.
Brax discovered his love for acrobatics when he was five.
“Brax’s goal when he is older is to make it into the Ecole Nationale De Cirque school in Montreal Canada, where he can then pursue his dream for cirque,” Studio owner Carlie Kendall said.
“He has recently been accepted into Circa Production where he will be learning with other young cirque artists.”
Aina and Yuna Nakayama, 14
Specialty: Acrobatics and circus.
Aina and Yuna have been dancing since they were four – and, according to CK Academy boss Carlie Kendall, have won every competition they have entered as a duo.
“Aina and Yuna took part in the Australian Circus Festival in 2019 and walked away with first place against some tough acts,” she said.
Ms Kendall said the pair were also scouted to audition for a TV show, only for it to be quelled because of Covid.
“They have definitely been faced with some challenges throughout their journey with Yuna being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of eight,” she said.
“This hasn’t stopped them though. Now showing high interest in cirque the girls have expanded their knowledge into all things aerial as well.”
Sienna Adams, 15
Specialty: Hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical.
Sienna is studying a Certificate IV in Dance with the Academy of Dance Industries at Ormeau Woods State High School.
“This year she was chosen as a company dancer in the Creative Generation State Schools on stage,” CK Academy boss Carlie Kendall said.
“With her love and passion for dance Sienna has competed in many solo, duo and troupe competitions.”
DANCE MAFIA
Chloe Campbell, 17
Speciality: Lyrical.
Dance Mafia owner Caitlin McMahon said Chloe’s passion on stage is beautiful to watch.
“Chloe has a natural gift for teaching and choreography, which has blossomed over the past few years with us at Dance Mafia,” she said.
“She works regularly as a performer for (entertainment agency) TS Talent and last year performed at the AFL grand final opening and halftime performance.”
Brave Woodcock, 17
Specialty: Tap and silks.
Brave’s passion and dedication to dance is considered inspiring.
“She is a versatile dancer and trains in all styles, including a specialty skill that has become her favourite genre,” Dance Mafia boss Caitlin McMahon said.
“Brave is completing her Certificate III in Teaching Dance.”
PART II: TOP 100 SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITIES ON THE COAST
Reese Deaves, 13
Specialty: Lyrical.
Reese “lives and breathes dance”.
“She is a standout on stage and has an exceptional future ahead of her in dance,” Dance Mafia owner Caitlin McMahon said.
“She is a member of the performance team at Dance Mafia and regularly competes in solos.
“She has performed at events for Phoenix entertainment, local artists at community festivals and at the community Christmas carols.”
Cleo Trevethan, 11
Specialty: Ballet, contemporary and hip-hop.
Cleo trains and competes regularly in all styles, in both groups and solos.
“Cleo has had the incredible opportunity to model for multiple brands including Decjuba, The Love Training Wear, Lava Tribe and most recently Sylvia P,” Dance Mafia owner Caitlin McMahon said.
“She has performed at events for Phoenix entertainment and local Christmas appearances.
“This is only the start to an incredible career in the arts industry.”
Hayley Fyfe, 11
Specialty: Jazz.
Hayley began dancing with Dance Mafia more than four years ago.
“Hayley has developed into an incredible dancer with star quality,” Dance Mafia owner Caitlin McMahon said.
“It is her dream to follow in the footsteps of her teachers and mentors and enter the world of the professional arts industry.
“She is a member of the performance team at Dance Mafia and regularly competes in solos.”
MCNEILL ACADEMY
Eryn Sheerin, 14
Specialty: Irish dance.
McNeill Academy owner Clare McNeill said Eryn has a large number of high performances to her name, including:
Second in Queensland Championships for solo dancing, world qualifier for the CLRG (Irish Dancing Commission) world championships, top 15 at the Australian National Championships, top five in the Australian International Oireachtas and Queensland State Champion in Teams.
Olivia Arnall, 10
Specialty: Irish dancing and ballet.
Olivia has been dancing since she was three.
She has placed second at the Queensland Championships three times and was 18th at the Australian Nationals Championships in 2019; was in the world qualifier for the Irish Dancing Commission World Championships; and a member of Queensland’s best team since 2017.
“She also loves gymnastics and was also awarded rising star in ballet in 2020, prior to focusing her talents on Irish dancing,” McNeill Academy owner Clare McNeill said.
Keira Arnall, 8
Specialty: Irish dancing.
Keira, who has been dancing since she was three, has placed third and fourth at the Queensland State Championships and has won a state team crown.
“Her first competition at the age of just four was in Waterford, Ireland where she was top dancer and was on the podium,” McNeill Academy owner Clare McNeill said.
“She won her first big championship at the age of seven.
“She also loves gymnastics and all forms of other dance.”
Both Olivia and Keira Arnall are Ms McNeill’s children.
PART III: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Joshua Hendriks,
Specialty: Irish dancing.
Joshua works hard in classes and is an inspiration to his peers.
“He will be travelling to North America in July to compete at The North American Irish Dancing Championships being held in Montreal,” McNeill Academy owner Clare McNeill said.
“He is the Queensland state champion in the boys eight years and under, which took place last October at A.B Paterson College.
“Josh has won the last two open titles at the recent Feis (competitions), passing both boys and girls of his age, so the future is looking very positive.
“He works very hard and attends classes three times a week and also private class each week, as he is very determined.”
Yasmin Mohtady, 13
Specialty: Irish dancing.
Yasmin is in the top three in Queensland for her age.
She is also Queensland state champion in teams and has been in the World Irish Dancing Championships Qualifier every year since being eligible, McNeill Academy owner Clare McNeill said.
“She is always working hard and helps at every class with the tiny tots and beginner dancers.”
INDUSTRY DANCE
Alia Newey, 10
Specialty: Ballet, contemporary, jazz.
Industry Dance teacher Joleen Newey said Aila started dancing when she was two and won her first competition when she was three.
“Alia represents Industry Dance with the goal to ensure her passion and talent for dance will provide a career of fulfilment,” she said.
“Alia was accepted into the industry elite program at Industry Dance this year, which means she combines her Grade 5 schooling with her dance training and is now considered a full-time dance student at just 10 years old.”
Imogen Riolo, 5
Specialty: Ballet, jazz, vocal, hip hop.
Imogen’s love and energy for performing arts is contagious.
“Immy is a natural-born performer and we cannot wait to see where this passion at such a young age takes her,” Industry Dance teacher Joleen Newey said.
“Immy will be performing her first-ever vocal solo at our mid-year production in July and we cannot wait for this tiny but mighty little one to show the audience how much she can shine.”
Caitlin Standford, 18
Specialty: Ballet.
Caitlin teaches at the studio while completing her full-time study.
“Caitlin has a heart of gold and the dance community needs more dancers exactly like her,” Industry Dance teacher Joleen Newey said.
“She has a natural ability to bring out the best in people and we are so lucky to have her positive energy around the studio.
“There is nothing better than seeing your students wanting to inspire the next generation of dancers.”
Ella Zoffman, 15
Specialty: Lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap.
Ella was one of seven students in the elite performance group.
“Ella is your ultimate dance student,” Industry Dance teacher Joleen Newey said.
“She works so hard in class and seeks to make sure that she is executing it perfectly every time.”
Samantha McNamara, 12
Specialty: Ballet, contemporary, aerial, musical theatre.
Industry Dance teacher Joleen Newey said Samantha’s ballet technique is effortless.
“We love to see a beautiful-trained ballerina just like Sammy step out of their comfort zone and into the crazy world of musical theatre,” she said.
“Which is exactly what she has done this year and the exact example of why performing arts opens many opportunities for students like Sammy to excel in any area of the arts.”
PART IV: TOP INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
SOUL DANCE GOLD COAST
Raydyn Haeata, 17 and Summer Brereton, 15
Specialty: Boogie Woogie.
Soul Dance teacher Ryshell Haeata said Raydyn and Summer are the only couple in Queensland doing Boogie Woogie.
“Raydyn has been dancing this form of dance for about a year and a half and Summer dancing about five years,” she said.
“They will be teaching workshops at Cooly Rocks this year.”
Chrissie Wolf, 28 and Ashleigh Forsyth, 26
Specialty: Soul dance.
The funky duo are one of the studio’s originals.
“They compete in the “same sex” or “all girls” sections,” Soul Dance teacher Ryshell Haeata said.
“What makes these two so inspirational is Ashleigh is completely deaf and Chrissie is her hearing partner.
“They have the grooviest style, packed full of energy and light up the dance floor with their charisma.”
Boy, 47 and Ryshell Haeata, 45
Specialty: Rock ’n’ roll.
Ryshell Haeata and partner Boy have been “in the game for 30-odd years”.
“We particularly specialise in the revamped American ’50s style with a fuse of New Zealand kickball change to it,” she said.
“We have multiple national titles and a world title in 1999 and coached some of the best dancers in New Zealand and Australia.”
Debby, 61 and Simon Vial, 60
Specialty: Rock ’n’ roll.
This suave couple have tried all sorts of dancing.
“Low and behold they have picked up rock ’n’ roll dancing seamlessly,” Soul Dance teacher Ryshell Haeata said.
“Only a six-week block lesson and they competed in their first competition.
“Very cool and suave, with their own little flavour to their style.”
Josh, 33 and Elizabeth Leveridge, 32
Specialty: Soul dance.
Josh and Elizabeth picked up soul dancing like it was meant for them, Soul Dance teacher Ryshell Haeata said.
“These guys came to our lessons and just picked it up.
“So we fast-tracked their classes and gave them harder moves to learn.
“They were a teacher’s dream and they competed in their first competition after a short amount of lessons.
“They have a great floor presence, especially with Elizabeth and those long legs.”
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