Helping Bella achieve her dream. The Diploma of Dance from Sydney's Brent St. Academy - Australia's leading creative arts centre

Who Am I?

Hi,

I’m Bella and I love to dance.

I first experienced dance at a “ Chance to Dance” open day held in the Auckland Town Hall when I was 3 years old. I wanted to tap, so I simply got up, joined the class and I haven’t stopped since. My photo was taken on that day and it appeared in the NZ Herald (I've posted that shot among the Gallery photos on this site.)

I began with ballet as the core discipline and then progressing to other dance genres such as Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop,Tap and Musical Theatre.

My Training

My parents, Rob and Eleanor, enrolled me in dancing at the age of four. I have been taking 15 dance classes per week at Auckland City School of the Arts, The Palace and St Kentigerns College. I have competed as a soloist in Modern Dance for the past seven years and in group dances for the past six years. I have been fortunate to dance in solo and group competitions in Australia and in the USA, wonderful experiences that I shall never forget. I have also performed at Christmas in the Park twice, on Jonno and Ben's TV show as well as attending numerous workshops.

Why Do I Dance?

I love dancing as it gives me the ability to express my true self, my emotions and my feelings. When I dance, in that moment I am “transported to another world”. Dancing has also given me lifelong important skills such as leadership, team work, confidence, self belief and perseverance. I want to now pursue a career doing something I really love.

Why Am I Fundraising?

As a New Zealander, I will have to fund this course myself. My parents have sacrificed so much over the years for my dancing and have provided for all my dancing courses. I am currently working during the holidays and have also applied for scholarships but unfortunately performing arts courses do not receive much funding. If you can help in any way at all, it would be so appreciated.

My Future

Training at Brent Street with students at a high level across a range of internationally recognised and practiced Dance, Singing and Acting techniques will prepare me for a career in the competitive Commercial Dance and Musical Theatre industry. This course has produced more working professional performers than any other course of its kind in Australia. I really appreciate being selected for this course as I know it will offer so many future opportunities.

Dancing ability: Advanced.

Dance styles

- Jazz.

- Contemporary.

- Ballet - completed RAD Ballet Advanced Foundation Level.

- Hip Hop.

- Tap Grade 6

- Lyrical.

Dance Achievements

2016 Kairos Dance Convention AMDA Summer Conservatory Pass Los Angeles/New York

2016 TV3 Jono and Ben Television Performance Back Up Dancer

2015 National Young Performer Modern Dance Nominee

2015 Showstoppers USA Dance Soloist Contemporary

2015 Showcase Regionals Auckland Top 10 Dancer & DOTY

2014 Christmas In the Park Performer

2014 WAPASA Diamond Award Senior Runner Up

2014 Phoenix Dance Workshop Intermediate Level Return Scholarship

2013 Christmas In the Park Performer

2013 Showcase Regionals Auckland Top 10 Dancer & DOTY

2012 Victoria Phillips Broadway Baby Lead Role

2012 Phoenix Dance Workshops Intermediate Maries Dance Award

2009 Phoenix Dance Workshops Beginner Level Return Scholarship

Plus a variety of awards at Modern Dance competitions including Scholarships and Championships over the past seven years.