I was 7 when I took my first jazz class. It was then that I initially developed an intense liking for something in my life; something to look forward to. I loved every aspect of class as well as my exams. I loved to be on stage too. I remember my first time on stage, dancing to Hi-5 and wearing handmade fluoro skirts. It was so much fun!

Fast-forward to 2016, I had just quit netball and hadn’t danced for 3 years and, urged by my mother’s refusal to have my spare time unoccupied (thank you, mum), I started dancing again when I was 12. I enrolled at Dance Energy and I took jazz. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn’t a very attentive or focused student. However, I loved classes and I learnt something new every week. As well as this, the studio itself was always a very homely and familiar place. I loved this about the studio and I still do.

2017 was my first concert, as I had injured my ankle before the 2016 concert. I remember the few minutes I was on stage, wearing a rainbow biketard, dancing to Shakira and thinking to myself, ‘I love this’. I decided that I wanted to learn more and dance more, so I took contemporary and hip hop the next year.

This year, I took jazz, contemporary, ballet and hip hop as well as being a member of both the squad and company troupes. I was thrilled to be performing on stage more and I looked forward to every single competition. I wanted to be more serious about dancing and improving my skills. It was key for me to practice, take on corrections and be hard working and attentive in class. This was my first year competing in a very long time and I’m glad I wasn’t particularly awful in comparison to the other, more experienced girls.

On a less autobiographical note, my love for dance is my motivation. The feeling of connecting with a song and expressing that connection through movement is something I couldn’t live without (despite this, I am terrible at bopping to music at social events). But the feeling is what makes me continue and is what expands on my passion.

This year, I’m so thankful for all my teachers. Their ability and their dedication to students is really important and quite simply, I wouldn’t be able to receive this award without their support and ability. I was quite shocked to receive this award, (I kind of had an outer-body experience once my name was called). I am extremely humbled by this opportunity and I have no intention of sparing its worth. I also want to acknowledge the past recipients of this award who are all such hard workers and inspiring to me as well as the other girls and younger kids. They are all such kind and humble people are very admirable.

I am also entering my last year of high school in 2020 so fingers crossed I sort out my time and maintain my grades whilst dancing too (that should be fun). In 2020, I hope to take on as many opportunities as I can and improve on my technicality and skills throughout the year. I also look forward to spending this year with such a lovely and supportive group of people and dancing with them all once again. I can’t wait. Thank you to Miss Claire for this wonderful award and opportunity.