Brisbane’s 30 best young dancers revealed as scene stronger than ever
Brisbane’s dance scene is stronger than ever and we’ve uncovered the brightest talents taking the art to the next level. MEET OUR YOUNG STARS
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The future of dance in Brisbane is stronger than ever, with dozens of young talents making their mark on the industry.
Studio One Director Kim Skelton said dancers trained incredibly hard and were always motivated to do better.
“The Brisbane dance scene has become increasingly competitive over the past few years. The talent has just shot up and kids are more determined and driven than ever,” Ms Skelton said.
Ms Skelton has been teaching dance for more than 30 years and said “the journey of training kids is so incredibly rewarding, there truly is nothing like it”.
“From spending hours in the studio teaching and perfecting a routine to watching them kill it on stage and take home a national title, it is the most special thing,” she said.
Studio One’s award-winning commercial choreographer Daniella Rucker said dance teachers played an important role in a dancer’s life.
“I love the relationship I have with my students - we are more than just teachers,” she said.
“We are mentors, supporters and role models that play a big impact in the lives of young talent.”
The Courier-Mail asked dance studios from across Brisbane for their best dancers.
See the full list below.
B3C Studios
Millie Harper, 10
Millie began dancing when she was five-years-old and never looked back, excelling in lyrical and jazz.
Her parents described Millie as a shy child, and dance has helped her step out of her comfort zone.
Millie is a determined dancer, always putting her best foot forward every class. She constantly supports her classmates and strives to reach her goals.
Charlotte Edwards, 10
Since starting dance at two-years-old, Charlotte has consistently let her energy and personality shine through.
Specialising in hip-hop, she has felt inspired by her older cousins and continues to practice tirelessly until she perfects every move.
Charlotte has been described as one to watch as she continues to grow in her dance journey.
Chloe Shillingford, 10
Wanting to try something new, Chloe started dancing at age five and quickly developed a love for the art form.
She specialises in jazz, showcasing her enthusiasm and energy in every class she steps into.
Chloe is a quiet achiever, she constantly works hard and strives to improve.
Imogen Heath, 17
Imogen was drawn to musical theatre from a young age, being passionate about acting and singing. She enrolled in dance classes to further excel in the industry.
Specialising in hip hop and contemporary dance, Imogen has built a strong foundation since enrolling at age 12.
Imogen takes every opportunity to grow as a performer, constantly demonstrating her eagerness to learn and perfect her skills.
Sunny Harper, 7
Described as a “pocket rocket,” Sunny specialises in hip-hop and has been dancing since age four.
From a young age, Sunny would watch her sister’s dance performances, and was soon inspired to give the art a go.
Sunny is naturally curious and driven to learn all about dance. She is full of energy and demonstrates enthusiasm in all she does.
Queensland Dance Centre
Xirui Xu, 13
Xirui first started dancing when she was six-years-old, and has since competed in various jazz and ballet competitions across the country and internationally.
Recently, she was invited to the 2025 Youth Grand Prix Finals in Tampa, Florida, marking a huge achievement in her career.
Teachers described classes with Xirui as a “rewarding experience,”.
Her dedication and commitment to the art promises her a strong future in ballet.
Tora Miller, 11
Tora would initially follow her friends to dance classes when she was four, but eventually the stickers convinced her to start classes.
Specialising in musical theatre, Tora is always focused on improving, but is also fun, lively and a joy to teach.
She has strong skills in tap, ballet and jazz, helping her develop into a standout performer.
Siena Nakanishi, 13
Starting dance at just three-years-old, Siena has quickly found her second home on the stage, specialising in ballet and jazz.
She is a powerful dancer who can add rhythm and musicality to any choreography, making her a blessing to teach.
Siena is naturally gifted and brings energy, expression and fluidity to her jazz movements. Her dedication and commitment to dance make her a stand-out performer.
Cecilia Wang, 8
Cecilia is a committed tap dancer, first starting when she was three and nothing has been able to stop her since.
She competed in her first solo competition in 2024, initially feeling nervous for the new experience. With support from her studio, she managed to secure first place.
Her experience in ballet and jazz make Cecilia a talented and focused dancer, who is always striving to do better.
Evan Yong, 12
Before Evan started dancing at age five, he was known for twirling around in a tutu at childcare. Since then, he’s excelled in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, tap and acrobatics.
He gained valuable experience as a young prince in Queensland Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty (2022) and as part of the children’s crew in The Nutcracker (2023), helping him develop as a dancer.
Evan is dedicated to improving as a performer, and continues to bring creativity and natural enthusiasm to every class.
Frontier Studios
Evelyn Brock, 6
Since starting ballet at age four, Evelyn has already grown into a stand-out performer, despite being the youngest on the team.
She shines with confidence during each performance, bringing a bubbly personality and infectious laugh to all she does.
Evelyn loves performing and brings a smile to every show, enjoys dressing up in beautiful costumes and sharing the experience with her friends.
Isabella Lee, 9
Isabella has focused on acrobatics, tap, lyrical and classical ballet since starting lessons when she was three, and has no plans of stopping.
No matter where she performs, whether it be in competitions, solo or as a team, she is always learning and growing.
Isabella is passionate about dance, constantly bringing joy and energy to everything she does.
Emily Clancy, 9
Emily started dancing when she was seven and isn’t wasting any time, training in all styles but enjoying acrobatics most of all.
She has danced in various competitions across Brisbane and can’t wait to keep going.
Emily loves dance because she gets to spend time with her friends and learn all types of tricks and moves.
Amber Chang, 9
Amber’s first love is lyrical dance, however she also spends time learning jazz, ballet, and enjoying solo classes.
She started dancing at age seven and has learnt dozens of exciting techniques.
Amber can’t wait to learn more as she continues to progress, and is set to make her solo competition debut in 2025.
Jade Coleman, 17
Jade specialises in classical ballet and various modern dance styles, and is currently working towards certificate qualifications, something she has been reaching for since she started dancing.
Recently, Jade was given the opportunity to fly to Taiwan and perform at a sporting event, captivating audiences with her stunning technique.
Jade is a beautiful role-model for young students, who look up to her as she encourages them to perfect their abilities and become stunning dancers.
Studio One
Aiden Clark, 11
Starting dance at just two-years-old, Aiden would dance around the house before he could even walk.
Seven years later, he specialises in lyrical, jazz and contemporary and is a joy to teach.
Aiden constantly pushes himself in all he does, he is bursting with talent and is reaching outstanding heights in the dance world.
Kensi Simpson, 10
Having danced for seven years, Kensi has grown to love musical theatre, jazz and ballet and never looked back.
She walks into every class with a positive attitude and is incredibly passionate about working hard to be the best she can be.
Growing up in the world of dance has turned Kensi into an eye-catching performer. She commands the stage and lights up the space with her smile.
Ella Budge, 12
Ella has been dancing since she was a little girl and has been loving hip hop, jazz and ballet ever since.
She puts 110 per cent into everything she does and applies every correction to continue growing as a dancer.
Ella’s stage presence makes her an incredible performer to watch, she is a fierce, strong and versatile dancer.
Arabella L’Estrange, 14
From the moment Arabella stepped into a dance class, she knew she had found her home.
Since then, she has excelled in jazz, hip hop and tap dance, bringing visions to life and demonstrating stunning technique.
Arabella is flexible and strong with the most beautiful stage presence. She is a powerful storyteller with multiple awards to her name.
Piper Jones, 7
Since starting dance classes five years ago, Piper has become a strong jazz, hip hop and tap performer.
She is an incredibly hard worker who improves with every correction she is given. She lights up the studio every time she walks into class.
Piper has a huge future as a dancer, her passion shines in all she does and she continues to grow and learn.
Daisy Jelich, 11
Having danced for eight years, Daisy knew she was destined to be a dancer.
She specialises in hip hop, jazz and contemporary, and her charisma, humour and positive energy makes her an incredible dancer to work with.
Daisy is a joy to teach and is an incredibly talented, award-winning dancer. She commands the stage and it’s impossible to not smile when you see her.
Queensland World Dance Academy
Stella Luo, 8
When a friend told Stella how fun dance classes were, she knew she had to join when she was four-years-old.
She specialises in lyrical and Chinese dance, and is always committed to improving and growing into a strong dancer.
Stella is naturally flexible and dedicated, making her a bright young dancer with a passion for the art.
Isabella Hu, 11
Isabella has been training in ballet since she was four, quickly becoming inspired by performances on YouTube.
While she can sometimes be shy, performing helps Isabella come out of her shell and express herself fully.
She recently placed first in the 10 years and under solo ballet section of the Reach Dance Competition 2024, and placed second in the same category at Ipswich Performers Dance Festival 2024.
Miranda Xue, 12
Miranda specialises in ballet and Chinese dance, focusing on these forms for the past nine years.
She is dedicated to her work and incredibly easy to teach, with a strong sense of musicality. She has won multiple awards across Brisbane.
Miranda stands out as a devoted dancer and is constantly growing as a performer.
Chelsea Zhao, 13
Chelsea has been dancing for eight years, specialising in ballet after being inspired to start dancing by a friend.
A consistent performer, Chelsea has placed first in various dance competitions across Brisbane, and always strives to go above and beyond.
She is a pleasure to work with and her determination has allowed her to grow as a performer and make lasting friendships in class.
Emily Bates, 19
Since starting ballet and Chinese dance at just two and a half years old, Emily has fallen in love with dance, and can’t imagine a life without it.
She is always trying new things and gaining a deeper appreciation for the culture and beauty of Chinese dance.
Dance has had a significant impact on Emily’s life, she embodies the true spirit of a dancer and will always hold the art close to her heart.
Lets Dance QLD
Victoria Labutina, 7
Victoria started dancing when she was four-years-old, finally convincing her parents after many impromptu concerts at home.
She’s been training in ballet ever since, and always brings focus and energy to the classroom.
Victoria always lets her personality and confidence shine through in her dancing, and is constantly committed to developing her technique and having fun with her friends.
Farrah Li, 8
Farrah has always enjoyed moving to music, eventually leading to her parents enrolling her in dance classes when she was four.
She brings her bubbly personality to every class, focusing on jazz, ballet and acrobatics.
Farrah is an exceptional leader for her peers, and has a great understanding of dance techniques. She always brings her all to class.
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Originally published as Brisbane’s 30 best young dancers revealed as scene stronger than ever
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