Hunter Region's Young Dance Prodigy Earns International Spotlight
In a remarkable achievement for such a young talent, six-year-old Eve Kelly from the Hunter region has captured national attention by winning a prestigious dance competition. Her victory has secured her a place on the international stage, representing Australia at a major event in Europe later this year.
National Triumph Leads to Global Opportunity
Competing at the Australian Showcase Dance Championships on the Gold Coast in early January, Eve outperformed approximately 150 other dancers to claim the Dancer of the Year title in the eight-years-and-under category. This significant win comes with an exciting prize: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to participate in the World Dance Movement this July.
Reflecting on her unexpected success against older competitors, Eve expressed both excitement and surprise. "I feel excited to go to Italy. I feel shocked because I was dancing against eight-year-olds and then I won," she said. During her winning performance, she wore a sparkling white costume and danced to Auld Lang Syne, initially feeling nervous but ultimately enjoying the experience immensely.
Family Support and Early Passion for Dance
Eve's mother, Ellana Kelly, who also works as a dance teacher at Ablaze Dance Academy where Eve trains, shared the family's pride and astonishment. "My husband and I are just so proud of her, we were also very shocked because we didn't expect at her age to have an accomplishment this big," Ms Kelly remarked. She noted that while every parent believes their child is special, Eve's talent truly stood out in this competitive field.
The young dancer's passion was evident from a very early age. Initially enrolled in soccer, Eve consistently preferred dancing around the house instead. "So we put her in dance and we never looked back," her mother explained. Eve herself recalls dancing to Taylor Swift's Shake It Off at just two years old, twirling enthusiastically through her home.
Diverse Skills and Anticipation for Italian Adventure
Eve trains in multiple dance styles including ballet, Broadway, lyrical, jazz, and contemporary. When asked about her favourite move, she cheerfully admitted, "I like standing on my head." Her connection to her dance academy is strong, with Eve describing Ablaze as feeling like home.
Looking ahead to her Italian journey, Eve is particularly excited about two aspects: receiving an official Team Australia tracksuit in green and gold upon her return, and sampling authentic Italian gelato. She recalled speaking with a previous participant who could hardly discuss the dancing, being so captivated by the quality of the pizza.
Local Dance Community Celebrates Multiple Wins
Eve's achievement is part of a broader success story for the local dance community. The Australian championships also saw victories for two other regional dancers: Nicholas Ridgeway from Newcastle, who won the Senior Dancer of the Year award, and Kayla McKinnon from the Central Coast, who claimed the pre-senior title. These accomplishments highlight the depth of talent emerging from the area.
As Eve prepares for her international debut, her story serves as an inspiring example of how dedication and passion can lead to extraordinary opportunities, even at the youngest ages. The Hunter region will undoubtedly be cheering her on as she takes the world stage this July.
