With a new year and decade fast approaching (where have the last 10 years gone?) it’s always a great time to reflect on the year that’s passed. This past year has given us the opportunity to be surrounded by some of the most inspirational, talented, and beautiful dancers (and souls) who are not only a pleasure to work with but have been lovely enough to have a chat to us about their year, what they are grateful for, goals for 2020, and pearls of wisdom they wish to share with other dancers. From all of us at Energetiks, we hope 2020 brings you an abundance of happiness, health, and adventures. Happy New Year!

Yvette Lee

Acclaimed choreographer, dancer and VDF Artistic Director. Creator of the Energetiks ROAR Collection.

Highlights of 2019 - In terms of work, I was lucky enough to choreograph two musicals at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney (American Psycho and Caroline, or Change) and also choreograph for the TV series ‘The Masked singer’. In terms of life, some personal (non dance related!) goals I had set for myself I managed to achieve and this was a big highlight.

I’m grateful for - My family had a series of very hard events this year and I am so thankful to my beautiful friends who helped carry me through.

Goals for 2020 - In 2020 I am going back to performing for the first part of the year. I want to do things that take me outside of my comfort zone and help me grow, not just as a creative but as a HUMAN!

Advice to other dancers - In my opinion. The most impressive thing you can do in this industry is treat other people well. If you are kind and omit a positive energy, with good intent, that will attract the same in return for you. 

Mackenzie Duffy

Melbourne Dancer and Model

Highlight of 2019 - Being involved in the ROAR by Yvette Lee collection for Energetiks. 100% my favourite experience this year. Working with such an amazing group of strong, unique women was a dream.

I’m grateful for - The support of my dance teachers and Dance Nation Academy. I have grown and improved so much over the past 12 months thanks to the constant push and amazing training. I’m also grateful that my mum drives me one hour away to get that dance training!

Goals for 2020 - I really want to concentrate on my ballet training. I’ve always loved my hip hop and commercial jazz, but this past year I’ve really been loving ballet, jazz, and contemporary too. I want to focus on my technique in ballet so I can improve in all my other styles.

Advice to other dancers - Trust your teachers. Everything they do has a purpose, even if you don’t think so at the time.

Zoe Cavedon

Professional Dancer

Highlight of 2019 - Touring with Projection Dance to South Africa and Ethiopia to perform two ballet galas has been the highlight of 2019 for me. I’m so fortunate that my job has taken me to so many new places around the world in just this year alone.

I’m grateful for - I believe expressing gratitude is so important in our everyday lives. I am grateful to live in our lucky country where there is food on my table, clean water, and a loving family which means more at this time of year. I’m grateful for my body, especially as a dancer. Being somebody who lives an active lifestyle, my body is definitely put under stress at times and yet it’s still constantly adapting so that I can continue to do what I love.

Goals for 2020 - Projection Dance has more shows planned for 2020, including new choreographed works and the return of the International Divertissement Ballet Gala. I am excited and looking forward to being part of that and connecting with more artists across Australia and internationally.

Advice to other dancers - I think it’s important for dancers to take this time to revisit the basics of technique in whatever style you practice. You have given your body the rest it needs over the break, so now is the perfect time to utilise the fresh start and install some really good habits and kick out the old bad ones.

Scott Pokorny & Tim Barnes

SCIMM Dance Company Directors & Founders

Highlights of 2019 - 2019 has ben an incredible year with many highlights including performing at Victorian Dance Festival (VDF), producing our first ever season launch event, Platforms Youth Company’s season of ‘Within Us’, and the launch of SCIMM Dance’s professional season ‘AETHERIUM’ held at the Southbank Theatre. Having the opportunity to produce so many works and events in 2019 has been very rewarding.

We’re grateful for - All the support we’ve had this year from the dance community. We were so humbled recently to receive the award for community service at the first ever Grounded Industry Awards (GIA). We’re particularly grateful to everyone who nominated and voted for us during the lead up to GIA. It’s been an honour to work with many different choreographers this year such as Brittany Page, Zoee Marsh and Sarah Boulter, who all created and debuted works for the company’s show seasons. We also feel extremely lucky to work so closely with such a talented company of professional dancers and feel so grateful to have aided them in achieving their goals!

Goals for 2020 - Going in to 2020 we hope to be able to offer more opportunities to more dancers with the continuation of both Platforms Youth Company and SCIMM Dance Professional. As an independent company it’s always a challenge to find support but we have been truly blessed to have continued support from Energetiks, The Space Dance and Arts Centre, and MAPA Studios. Going into the new year we hope to find more partners to help us support emerging dancers and choreographers. We’ll continue to produce works and strive to put our efforts into growing within the community to further help the Melbourne Arts scene thrive in such a volatile climate.

Advice to other dancers - To everyone out there that loves dance, always remember to support each other in any way you can. This is how our community gets stronger. Go see a show over the holidays and let yourself be uplifted and inspired. This is why artists do what they do!

Maeve Nolan

Energetiks Ambassador and Professional Dancer

Highlights of 2019 - For me 2019 was a big year filled with wonderful opportunities for which I’m very grateful for! A few highlights would be having the opportunity to travel to New York with a group of my fellow friends and represent the English National Ballet School in YAGP’s international schools gala, graduating from the English National Ballet School, and becoming an artist for the English National Ballet (ENB) for their season.

I’m grateful for - All of my family and friends who have continuously supported me. I’m also very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had this year through the English National Ballet School and being able to perform wonderful repertoire as both a student and first year artist with the ENB.

Goals for 2020 - I hope to continue to be happy and healthy in 2020. 2019 taught me to be a little braver and step out of my comfort zone, so in 2020 I want to continue to push myself to be a better human and dancer!

Advice to other dancers - This year had its highlights but also had its lows. I had to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and you can learn and grow from every experience.

Paige Ristevski

Winner of the Royal South Street’s Energetiks ‘Dance For Life’ Competition 2019.

Highlights of 2019 - A highlight of my 2019 was completing my Royal Academy of dance Advanced 2 exam. I have been working endlessly over the years to complete my Royal Academy of Dance exams and to have all the hard work pay off was such a great achievement for me. 

I’m grateful for - I am extremely grateful for my teachers at Expressions Ballet Academy. They continuously challenged me and supported me in everything I wished to achieve throughout this year. They have helped me grow into the person I am today and I have no idea what I would do without them!

Goals for 2020 - I cannot wait to start full time training at Queensland Ballet Academy in 2020. I look forward to the new challenges of full time training and taking classes like pas de deux that I haven’t done before.

Advice to other dancers - My advice to other dancers would be to keep persisting and try to better yourself no matter what. There will always be setbacks in your dance journey, but it is how you deal with those set backs that makes you a better dancer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Article by Sheree Ronai-Horvath
Photography by Elly Ford

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