Victoria’s best dancers revealed: Meet the young stars of tomorrow
After two years of interruptions, the brightest up-and-coming dancers can now be revealed from across Victoria. See who made the list.
Warrnambool
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After two years of interruptions, Victoria’s brightest up-and-coming dancers have been returned to the centre of the stage.
From ballerinas to hip-hop dancers, dance studios say it has been a relief to welcome back dancers after the Covid pandemic wreaked so much havoc on the industry — threatening its existence.
In celebration of the turnaround, Leader asked studios across the state to find their up and coming young dancers.
Here are the 40+ dancers who are among our most talented rising stars.
Dillon James
Mildura Hot Shots dancer Dillon James, 10, is known to have a strong technique in ballet, acro, jazz and contemporary dance styles.
Dancing with Hot Shots since the age of five, Dillon has won numerous awards and starred in lead roles including playing Satine in the Moulin Rouge tribute show.
Dillon performs well above her years and is set for a bright future.
Dane Alexander
Mildura Hot Shots dancer Dane Alexander, 11, learns classical ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary. Dane has a natural talent for dance and acting, with a passion for musical theatre and demi-character work. He has multiple accolades including winning first prize in the Mildura Eisteddfod and holding lead roles in local musicals.
Mia Menegaldo
Mia Menegaldo, 7, practises dance with Hot Shots in Mildura and from her lounge room barre every day. Mia’s styles include jazz and classical ballet and is one to watch with her special technique. She will be performing for the first time in Mildura Eisteddfod this year.
Sophie Dawson
Sophie Dawson, 17, trains at Murray Youth Performing Arts in Albury Wodonga.
An accomplished dancer in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz and lyrical, Sophie has studied dance since she was four across a range of dance genres.
Sophie studied ballet at the Royal Academy of Dance, performing in multiple eisteddfods and shows including the State Dance Festival and NSW Schools Spectacular.
Once she finishes high school studies this year, Sophie plans to move to France to pursue a professional dancing career.
Abbigail Makin
Abbigail Makin, 20, studies contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, jazz and tap at the Amy Newton Dance Studio in Shepparton.
Receiving multiple awards through the Amy Newton Dance Studio (ANDS), Abbigail has continued her dancing after completing secondary school by teaching dance at ANDS in 2020. She is attending Melbourne University on the Fairley Foundation Scholarship to study a fine arts degree in the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).
Zahli Kelson
Warrnambool dancer Zahli Kelson, 17, studies dance with 101 Dance Studio in south-west Victoria.
Zahli’s dance style is hip-hop with a technique that has put her in the spotlight internationally.
Her dancing achievements include being a dancer for the Justin Bieber Purpose tour in 2017, and representing in solo and duo categories at the 2018 UDO World championships in Glasgow. Her most recent accolade is positioning first place in the Open Division Crew at the UDO National Street Dance Championships.
Samara Sergi
Samara Sergi, 18, studies classical ballet, contemporary, jazz and lyrical at Albury Wodonga's Murray Youth Performing Arts.
Samara has been dancing with MYPA since she was two, and has studied a range of genres since.
Samara has completed up to Intermediate Foundation at the Royal Academy of Dance, and has participated in a wide range of dance opportunities including local eisteddfods, and Riverina Dance Festivals.
After completing year 12 this year Samara plans to pursue her love of dance by studying in musical theatre.
Berkley Wood and Samuel Brown
Berkley Wood, 18, and Samuel Brown, 19, are a dancing duo at the Excell Dance Centre in Shepparton.
They have a number of accolades including winning all three styles in the under 21 open events at the 2022 Australian Dancesport Championships.
The pair will also represent Australia in the World Dancesport Championships in the under 21 Ballroom and Latin Open, Under 21 Ten Dance and the Adult Ten Dance later this year.
Mia Louise McCormack
Shepparton dancer Mia Louise McCormack, 17, studies at Excell Dance Centre.
Studying dance since she was four Mia is talented across many dance genres including ballet, jazz, song and dance, tap and repertoire.
She started studying Ballroom and Latin styles six years ago, and now has achieved gold level in Standard Ballroom, New Vogue and Latin competitions.
Mia is an assistant dance teacher, and will complete her Dancesport Assistant Coaching Certificate.
Cassandra Bryant
Shepparton dancer Cassandra Bryant, 15, studies at the Excell Dance Centre in Shepparton.
Cassandra has been dancing for more than six year – Latin being her strongest dance style.
Her and her dancing partner Sienna Winbanks are competitors to look out for in the ballroom.
James Lane
James Lane, 10, has studied dance since he was seven at Murray Youth Performing Arts in Albury Wodonga.
James also studies at the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus in ballet, and will go into his Grade 4 exams this year.
He has been successful in multiple local dance competitions that went ahead despite Covid restrictions, and dreams to be a principal dancer in the Australian Ballet, a singer and actor.
Lily Wellington
Lily Wellington, 12, studies dance at Border Danceworks in Wodonga.
Starting ballet at the age of three, she has consistently practised her technique since.
Lily has won several ballet and lyrical championships, and competed in eisteddfods including at Wodonga, Kyabram, Wangaratta and Corowa.
Lily’s most successful solo is her ‘tears of an angel’ she choreographed for her grandmother who sadly died.
Nevaeh Bangit
Nevaeh Bangit, 8, studies dance at Michelle Slater Performing Arts, Phoenix and Isolation Performing Arts in Tullamarine.
Her dance styles are broadway, jazz, musical theatre, ballet and tap.
Her achievements include winning the Under 8 aggregate at the Comdance Dance Competition.
Massimo Zuccara
Massimo Zuccara, 17, is a dancer to look out for, studying at Isolation Performing Arts and Michelle Slater Performing Arts.
His dance styles include jazz, tap, hip-hop and ballet.
Massimo’s achievements include dancing in the Bonnie Lythgoe pantomime of Peter Pan, performing in a Toyota commercial and recently performing in the Peta and the Wolf tap dance show.
Jackson Coombs
Jackson Coombs, 19, trains at Isolation Performing Arts in Tullamarine.
His favourite dance genres are tap, acro and jazz.
Jackson’s major highlights include receiving Southern Federation of Dance Scholarships for jazz and tap and the Victorian Premier’s Award for VET Dance.
Celeste Rusmanis
Celeste Rusmanis, 13, studies dance at Dance Discovery and Isolation Performing Arts in Tullamarine.
Her favourite dance styles are – everything.
Celeste’s major achievements includes receiving dance scholarships, being a junior tap titleholder at the Australian Teachers of Dance Victorian and Australasian Sub and winning the tap and jazz championships at the 2022 Wangaratta Festival of Dance.
Toby Villinger
Toby Villinger, 8, trains at the Karen Feldman's Dance School at Hamlyn Heights.
His favourite dance style is the popular breakdance genre.
Toby receives mentoring from breakdancer Jamie Blomeley, and is known to dominate the stage in every break dance battle.
He aspires to compete in breakdancing at the Olympics.
Jacqueline Lee
Jacqueline Lee, 10, trains at the Anderson Dance Company in Moonee Ponds.
She is talented in the genres of broadway, jazz, lyrical, ballet — while also being skilled in acrobatics and gymnastics.
Jacqueline raised more than $5500 for Ronald McDonald House’s annual Dance for Sick Kids fundraiser in 2021 for her choreography dance videos online.
Tayla Victoria Jarvic
Tayla Victoria Jarvic, 14, is a dancer at the Anderson Dance Company.
She started dancing at the age of five, and is trained in all dance genres.
Her favourite styles include lyrical tap and hip-hop.
Tayla’s accomplishments include playing Mary Poppins in the junior musical, and rehearsing for roles in her high school productions.
Aurelia Hills
Aurelia Hills, 13, is a ballet dancer at the Melbourne Ballet Company and Hay Wightman School of Ballet.
Her dancing accolades include receiving the 2021 Marjorie Wightman Scholarship and the ADA Pre Elementary Ballet Award.
Hayley Keating
Hayley Keating, 17, trains at the Melbourne Dance Theatre.
Her dance styles include classical ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre.
She has taken centre stage as the principal dancer in performances with the Victorian State Youth Ballet including roles as Anastasia in the world premier of Anastasia, Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker and Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
Amelie Burgess
Amelie Burgess, 18, trains at Melbourne Dance Theatre in various dance styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, commercial Jazz and classical Ballet.
She is in Year 12 and studying VCE VET Dance while auditioning for full-time dance courses for 2023.
Amelie recently performed at the Victorian Dance Festival with Stella Youth Dance Company.
In 2020 she performed at the MCG with Katy Perry at the Women’s T20 Cricket.
Georgia Hughes
Georgia Hughes, 18, graduated in 2021 from the Melbourne Dance Theatre, training in jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary and more.
She is considered a versatile performer, successfully auditioning for Bent Street musical theatre course.
In 2020 Georgia danced alongside Katy Perry at the T20 Women's Cricket.
Luella Morrow
Luella Morrow, 14, trains at the Melbourne Dance Theatre in a variety of dance styles including classical ballet, jazz, lyrical and contemporary.
She performs with the Victorian State Youth Ballet, including playing the solo role of Harlequin in The Nutcracker.
Hollie McGeachey
Hollie McGeachey, 12, is a dancer at Spotswoods’ — The Dance Company.
Her dance styles include lyrical and contemporary.
Hollie’s achievements include being a title winner at the 2021 Dancelife United Protégé — Get the Beat Pre Teen Regional Champion.
She has assisted in international dance workshops in the UK, Spain and Paris, while also working in acting and modelling.
Elayna Kucic
Elayna Kucic, 13, studies in all dance genres at The Dance Company in Spotswood.
She is the recipient of many championships, include Get The Beat Teen Regional Champion, Hollywood Bound Teen Regional Champion and Showcase Junior Overall National Champion.
Elayna is an ambassador for Dance for Sick Kids and dance wear brands.
She has received multiple scholarships, including a scholarship for Joffrey School of Ballet in New York.
Amy Hou
Amy Hou, 11, is a dancer at The Dance Company in Spotswood.
She trains in ballet and contemporary with a number of accolades behind her.
Dance competitions are Amy’s strength, winning titles in the State Dance Champion Jump Dance Challenge, KAR Dance Competition and Pre Junior Champion Fierce Dance Competition.
She has been a cast member for the Australian Ballet in Harlequinade.
Isabelle Bitsikas
Isabelle Bitsikas, 14, trains in all styles of dance at The Dance Company.
She has been a Showcase National Dance Champion twice, and has received scholarships from the World Dance Movement and New York City Dance Alliance.
Isabelle has made a number of guest spots on television shows including Little Big Shots on Channel 7 and The Floor is Yours on the ABC.
Savannah Pillay
Savannah Pillay, 15, trains in all styles The Dance Company in Spotswood.
She received a scholarship to the Brent Street Australia Summer Intensive, while also being a title winner at the Prestige Dance Awards, Jump Dance Challenge and Get The Beat.
Savannah is recognised for her cast member roles for the Scimm Dance Company, Boss Dance Company and Locreado Dance Company.
Samantha Speldewinde-Power
Samantha Speldewinde-Power, 12, trains at the Street Dance Studios in Mitcham.
She began dancing at the age of three — her favourite dance style being hip-hop.
Samantha has competed in numerous hip hop competitions, while also performing in basketball halftime shows for Melbourne United, Dandenong Rangers, Knox Raiders and Nunawading Spectors.
Recently she successfully auditioned for the Rowville Institute of Arts.
James Kavenagh
James Kavenagh, 13, trains in his favour dance genre — hip-hop at Street Dance Studios in Mitcham.
While talented in hip-hop, he started in musical theatre first at the age of five.
He recently represented Street Dance Studios at The Melbourne Show, the Moomba Parade and at the WNBL and NBL basketball half time shows.
James auditioned for Australia Got Talent, and continues his passion for drama in a program at his school.
Stephen Stansfield
Stephen Stansfield, 14, is a hip-hop and breakdancer at Street Dance Studios in Mitcham.
His speciality move is ‘locking.’
Stephen has performed with Minihoodz and Jnrhoodz crews at WNBL and NBL games and the Big Bash League.
He performed in America in 2019 in the Street Dance Studio’s Megacrew, and has winning titles in the Victorian Interschool Dance Competition.
Markus To
Markus To, 16, is a talented breakdancer who trains at Street Dance Studios.
Known for his breakdancing solos at WNBL and BBL basketball games, he is skilled in flips and tricks when performing.
Markus performed on the Today Show, various festivals and toured America performing with the Street Dance Studios Megacrew in 2019.
Chloe Woollard
Chloe Woollard, 16, specialises in breakdancing at Street Dance Studios.
She has appeared in performances at major sporting events and entertainment events including for Shepherd and Yo Gaba Gaba.
Chloe now teaches 6-8 year olds every week at Street Dance Studios, and is known for her encouraging nature with other dancers.
Layla Best
Layla Best, 13, is a dancer at Infinite Dance Studio in Breakwater.
Her favourite dance genres are jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip hop and acrobatics.
Layla’s a talented dancer who is now a teacher at her dance school, and has completed with honours her AICD Grade 5 ballet exam.
Lily Earle
Lily Earle, 10, specialises in jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, hip hop and acrobatics at Infinite Dance Studios.
She has completed her AICD Grade 3 ballet exam with Honours, and is a competitions dancer.
Ollie Sheringham
Ollie Sheringham, 9, trains at Infinite Dance Studios in Breakwater.
Her dance styles include tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip hop and acrobatics.
Ollie is a competition dancer for Infinite Dance Studios, and was awarded as a finalist in the Ballet Teachers Workshop this year.
She has recently completed her AICD Grade 1 Ballet Exam with Honours.
Ava Shaw
Ava Shaw, 15, trains at Infinite Dance Studios, specialising in jazz, contemporary, hip hip. acrobatics and ballet.
She was highly commended for her AICD Intermediate ballet exam, and is now a scholarship recipient and assistant teacher at Infinite Dance Studios.
Xavier Gibson
Xavier Gibson, 15, trains at Ascendant DC in Clayton South.
He describes his hip-hop style as “powerful, unique and expressive, balancing feminine and masculine energies”.
Accolades Xavier has received include second place at the Hip Hop International Australia with Ascendant Dance Company — Varsity Crew.
He is also known for his choreography skills, choreographing the ‘Kween Energy’ music video by Sophiya.
Kobie Pickering
Kobie Pickering, 16, trains at KM Dance Co in Mildura while also teaching the younger dancing crew.
Kobie is known for his “uncanny ability to tell a story through dance” which she portrays with ease despite her youth.
She takes audiences on a journey through her dance, enthralling viewers to the very end.
Katie Hawkes
Katie Hawkes, 17, is a dancer at KM Dance Co in Mildura, and her dance teachers consider her skills second to none.
Katie is known for her flips, tricks and strong technique.
As a teacher at KM Dance Co, she is dedicated to her students, leaving the younger dancers feeling inspired to do their best.
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