She has two versions of The Nutcracker at home to watch and she loves the choreography, but if nine-year-old Skyla Corliss were to win the Suncorp Wish Upon a Ballet Star competition, she would be dancing every day and into the night.
Skyla lives 140km out of Julia Creek, at Glengalla station, and only sees her teacher for lessons once a week, but she’s overcome the obstacles thrown up by distance to be one of 10 finalists in the statewide competition that gives young people the chance to experience the wonder of ballet, from a field of over 550 entries.
The major prize is an opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime walk-on role with the Queensland Ballet in The Nutcracker and a chance to meet artistic director Li Cunxin.
It would be a dream come true for someone who speaks so passionately and knowledgeably about dance.
“It’s one of my favourite things to do,” Skyla said. “I do all different types but ballet and tap are a challenge for me. With tap, you have to have the right sound, and with ballet, it’s the right technique.”
She has been having formal lessons for a year, thanks to her mum driving her the hour-and-a-half to town, to her teacher Amy Thieme.
Originally from Dalgonally, Amy has been living in Perth but moved back to her home town at the start of the year.
Lessons put on when she was home on uni holidays became the establishment of Branches performing arts classes and these days, Amy has 25 families with two or three children each enrolled, competing in events such as the Charters Towers Eisteddfod.
“It’s very rewarding teaching all the kids out here,” she said. “Children living in remote areas are so hungry for opportunity they soak up information like little sponges.
“To Skyla, dance is like another language. She is flourishing into a beautiful young dancer full of talent and imagination. I was so excited for her when she was chosen to be a finalist.”
The public now has a chance to vote for their favourite little dancer, at suncorpballetstar.com.au and prizes will be announced on November 26.
