THIRTEEN year-old Bella Watson from Bakers Hill took out the Dancer of the Festival for the On Stage Performing Arts Competitions held over eight days at Penrhos College in Como during the April school holidays.
She received $400 cash, a massive trophy and a sash to commemorate her win.
Bella won her acro solo, modern solo, lyrical solo and demi-character solo, receiving a second place for contemporary, own choreography and classical and a third for her neo-classical solo.
She won the highest overall aggregate of any student (they were aged 3yrs- 26yrs and from over 40 studios from around Perth).
Bella then travelled to Morley Rec Centre for Bayswater Festival and won Junior Dancer of the Festival, also held on the school holidays.
This seven day competition also attracted over 40 studios from around Perth and Bella once again won enough of her solos to be crowned highest overall aggregate for dancers aged 10yrs to 14yrs.
Musical theatre and hip hop teacher Nicholas Cruse not only took out the hip hop and song and dance sections, but also the Boys Only Award and Senior Dancer of the Festival.
He was announced as the lead in Grease the Musical playing for 14 shows at the Regal Theatre in August.
April competitions were a chance for many other stand out performances from our dedicated students. Always learning more from each experience and achieving personal bests.
Preparing for more and more opportunities that will continue to present themselves to these little stars as they grow up.
Learning invaluable life lessons like working together as a team, the rules and rewards of good sportsmanship no matter what and having the confidence to perform in front of an audience.
They carry themselves with professionalism and a sense of achievement which continues to bolster them in all aspects of their lives and for their futures.
These young superstars have the added complication of travel (some from as far away as Kellerberrin and Beverley) to get to these Perth competitions.
They take it all in their stride.
They have amazing support from their families (especially their Mothers) who are willing to give this opportunity for such an exciting and fun filled life as a competition dancer.
The lifelong friends and wonderful childhoods we are providing for these lucky students is a reward for their dedication and passion for what they do.
All the students at Toodyay Ballet School are preparing for Annual Cecchetti Ballet Exams.
This year the examiners are travelling from Victoria and Adelaide to come and evaluate the progress of our classical students.
With only four weeks left they are all practicing at home, learning their theory in the car and over the dinner table with their family and can be heard practicing their French terminology.
