Next stop, the big smoke
Three city dancers accepted into prestigious program
THREE Toowoomba dancers are preparing for a year with one of the country’s most prestigious dance companies.
The talented 17-year-olds, from Dance Central, are three of just 26 dancers chosen for the Sydney Dance Company’s pre-professional year.
Austin Kelly, Sarah McCarthy and Taylor Seymour will head to Sydney next year to be part of the contemporary dance company and achieve a Diploma of Dance.
“I started when I was six. For the first six years of my life my sisters were always dancing and I was begging mum and dad to let me come along,” Austin said.
“Performing in front of people and just the adrenaline and the rush of being on stage is probably the best part about dancing for me.
“It is a pretty prestigious place so to be granted a position in their pre-professional year is pretty exciting.”
Like Austin, Sarah started dancing at a young age.
“I have been dancing since I was four-years-old,” she said.
“I always danced around the house and I think mum just wanted to put me somewhere else where I could dance.”
“I have got a lot really good memories here and we have had some really good training, but I am excited to start something completely new.”
Taylor has been dancing since she was just three and has not stopped since.
“Contemporary I definitely love and I want to continue as long as I can,” she said.
“I really like finding new styles and learning from other people.”
All three are happy to be accepted together, much to the excitement of Dance Central principal Alison Vallette.
Ms Vallette said the program was considered a feeder into the company, and if not, would set them up for an audition anywhere in the world.
“I am incredibly proud. They were blown away by the fact there were three students at the same studio with the same level of training,” she said.