Part III: Gold Coast’s best dancers from the NAPA, Elite Dance and Music Academy, Lea Academy, Danceology and Inspire Academy
The Gold Coast is a great platform for those who are wanting to take off in the arts and entertainment industry, whether they are travelling from Switzerland or starring as a lead in musicals. SEE THE TOP 75 DANCERS >>
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The Gold Coast is a great platform for those who are wanting to take off in the arts and entertainment industry, whether they are travelling from Switzerland or starring as a lead in musicals.
The Bulletin has secured a list of dancers on the Coast who are outdoing themselves in the industry each year.
PART I: TOP 50 DANCERS ON THE COAST
PART II: TOP 50 DANCERS ON THE COAST
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS (NAPA)
Kael Smith, 8
Specialty: Acrobatics
At just 8 years old, Kael is already an elite acrobat and dancer.
NAPA Company Director Kim Reynolds said Kael was currently training in all styles of dance at NAPA.
“Kael is in high demand as a model and actor and is currently working on a local film production in a featured role,” she said.
Jaeda Power, 15
Specialty: Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary
NAPA Company Director Kim Reynold said Jaeda was a “true triple threat”.
“She has played numerous lead roles in NAPA musicals, and is currently studying her Certificate IV in Musical Theatre at NAPA College,” she said.
Zyla Boyd, 12
Specialty: All styles
Zyla is currently at the Dance Excellence program at Palm Beach Currumbin State school.
NAPA Company Director Kim Reynold said she was “an elite dancer and acrobat who excels in all styles of dance”.
“Zyla is an accomplished soloist, and is in high demand is a dance model and ambassador.”
Courtney Sutherland, 15
Specialty: All styles
NAPA Company Director Kim Reynold said Courtney trains in all forms of Dance, Acrobatics and Musical Theatre at NAPA.
“Courtney is an accomplished soloist and featured dancer in NAPA’s Elite Dance Team,” she said.
“She has a great love for Musical Theatre and has performed lead roles in several musicals at NAPA including 13 – the Musical, The Addams Family and Oklahoma.”
PART I: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Lulu King, 16
Specialty: Classical, Lyrical, Contemporary
Lulu only recently transitioned into Musical Theatre from Ballet.
NAPA Company Director Kim Reynold said was “not only an accomplished dancer, but excels in singing and acting also”.
“Lulu recently travelled to Sweden where she worked with Helena Ehrstrand at Viksjöforsbaletten.”
ELITE DANCE AND MUSIC ACADEMY
Jessie Johnson, 14
Specialty: Ballet and Tap
Jessie began dancing when she was two and a half.
Elite Dance and Music Academy principal Kylie Banister-Brown said Jessie was approved to began Pointe classes at the beginning of the year.
Lyla Scott, 10
Specialty: Tap
Elite Dance and Music Academy teacher and principal Kylie Banister-Brown said she had taught Lyla in tap since 2013.
“Lyla has competed here, interstate and overseas with great results,” she said.
“Her dreams is to tap dance around the world.”
Ava Scott, 13
Specialty: Broadway Jazz and Contemporary
Ava has been dancing at Elite Dance and Music Academy since she was two years old.
Her teacher and principal Kylie Banister-Brown said Ms Scott hoped to one day be on Broadway.
PART II: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Chloe Willis, 12
Specialty: Various styles
Elite Dance and Music Academy principal Kylie Banister-Brown said Chloe’s dream was to one day be a Radio City Rockette in New York, which was an American precise dance company.
Mackenna Di Martino, 15
Specialty: Jazz, Lyrical and Hip-Hop
Elite Dance and Music Academy principal Kylie Banister-Brown said Mackenna was named one of the Elite Dance Academy Ambassador in 2021.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I have known that I wanted to become a qualified dance teacher and choreographer, I want to turn my love of dancing into my career,” Ms Martino said.
LEA ACADEMY
Grace Lesko, 11
Specialty: Acrobatics, Hip Hop and contemporary.
Grace has been dancing since she was 2.
“She is a bubbly, vibrant & passionate dancer with lots of personality,” Lea Academy director Lauren Wormald said.
Tamika Hine, 15
Specialty: Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Broadway, Aerial, Acrobatics, Ballet, Tap & Musical Theatre
“Tamika is a well rounded dancer and is passionate about having a career in the industry,” Lea Academy director Lauren Wormald said.
Evie Pantelakakis, 10
Specialty: Acrobatics, Lyrical & Jazz
“She is a little ball of energy, she is a talented & flexible dancer specialising in,” Lea Academy director Lauren Wormald said.
“Evie is the kindest and sweetest soul and has amazing stage presence.”
Lucienne Truet, 13
Specialty: Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Aerial, Ballet, Contemporary and Musical Theatre
“Lucie is an exceptional acrobat and also excels in Jazz, Hip Hop & Lyrical,” Lea Academy director Lauren Wormald said.
PART III: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Leukie Oliva, 10
Specialty: Acrobatics and Hip-Hop
Leukie began dancing at Lea Academy when she was four years old.
“Leukie shines bright on stage and loves performing,” Lea Academy director Lauren Wormald said.
INSPIRE ACADEMY
Harlow Mills, 7
Specialty: Ballet, Tap and Lyrical
Butterfly Ballet and Inspire Academy director Elle Lyons said Harlow began her journey with the studio six years ago.
“She loves dancing because she gets to express herself,” she said.
Daisy Walda, 5
Specialty: Ballet
Butterfly Ballet and Inspire Academy director Elle Lyons said Daisy wants to be a ballet teacher when she grows up.
“She loves dancing at Inspire Academy because she gets to explore new skills and challenges with her teacher, Miss Ping,” she said.
Hope Chaplin, 9
Specialty: Ballet and Contemporary
Hope started dancing when she was two and a half.
“Hope loves attending Inspire Academy because of the friendships she has made, loves developing her dance technique and all her teachers,” Butterfly Ballet and Inspire Academy director Elle Lyons said.
“Hope’s most memorable achievement was her first ever solo dance she performed at the Gold Coast Helensvale Bush fire fundraiser.”
Imogen Darke, 8
Specialty: Ballet.
Butterfly Ballet and Inspire Academy director Elle Lyons said Imogen began dancing when she was two after “forming a love of spying on her big sister’s classes through the window”.
“She loves learning the different dance terminology, improving flexibility & doing the splits,” she said.
Indie Stein, 8
Specialty: Jazz
Butterfly Ballet and Inspire Academy director Elle Lyons said Indie’s main dancing highlight was dancing on stage at HOTA for competitions and shows.
“Indie loves to dance because it’s fun and she loves being with her friends,” she said.
DANCEOLOGY
Sienna Coe, 8
Specialty: Jazz and Musical Theatre
Danceology principal Belinda Chattin said Sienna had been a student with them since 2019.
“We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sienna,” she said.
Ms Chattin said Sienna was the winner of the Mini student of the year in 2021 and received an honours for her first ever exam.
Lara Tattersall, 10
Specialty: Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Acrobatics and Musical Theatre.
Lara began dancing with Danceology in 2020.
“Lara is not only in her age division in her competitions but has become a member of our Seniors performance team due to her handwork and dedication,” Danceology principal Belinda Chattin said.
Zoe Chattin, 10
Specialty: Jazz, Contemporary and Musical Theatre.
Danceology principal Belinda Chattin said Zoe was a part of the studios Diversity Performance Team which us a group dedicated to students with disabilities.
“Zoe has loved dancing since she could walk and doesn’t let her autism stop her from achieving her goals,” she said.
PART IV: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Asha Sancaya, 8
Specialty: Jazz and Hip-Hop
Danceology principal Belinda Chattin said Asha began dancing at their studio in late 2019 and was the student of the year in 2021.
“She has been extremely successful in all her examinations, achieving fantastic results.”
Summer Wilkie, 14
Specialty: Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Acrobatics and Musical Theatre.
Summer recently received a 93.5% on her Level five Hip-Hop exam through the Asia Pacific Dance Association.
“She has been assisting and teaching classes and is a valued member of our staff,” Danceology principal Belinda Chattin said.
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