2020 has been the year that no one could have anticipated. Surpassing expectations in more ways than one, it taught us to appreciate what we have in life and gave us the opportunity to discover what truly matters. However, despite some of the adversities that 2020 has presented us with, it has also allowed us moments of growth, compassion, and bigger and greater aspirations for 2021. As we finish off the year, we had a chat with some of the talented dancers we’ve worked with throughout 2020 and discuss how the year was for them, what they’re aspiring towards in the new year and words of advice they wish to share with other dancers. From all of us at Energetiks, we hope 2021 brings you an abundance of health, happiness, and adventures. Happy New Year!

Zoe Cavedon

Professional Dancer

What you’ve learnt from 2020 - Like most people I have a long list of lessons that 2020 has taught me. We really didn’t expect the year to go the way it did and for most dancers it meant we were out of action for quite some time. It has truly made me grateful for the art form and everything that comes with it.

Highlight of the year - Undoubtedly my highlight of the year was getting a dog. I couldn’t have imagined lockdown without her. In terms of dancing, I got to perform a contemporary piece called ‘Closer’ choreographed by Tim Podesta (pre-pandemic) in three different Australian locations.

Goals for 2021 - It’s pretty simple but my goal for 2021 is to simply enjoy getting back into a more regular lifestyle and hopefully performing!

Advice you wish to share with other dancers - Keep persevering! Hopefully we can keep going to our glorious studio spaces in 2021, so lets make the most of that and genuinely enjoy what we get to do!

Follow Zoe’s adventures @zoe_cavedon

Ned Zaina

Professional Dancer

What you’ve learnt from 2020 - 2020 has taught me to never give up on what you truly believe in. I never thought the day would come that I’d be able to perform again and here I am in Sydney about to start one of the best shows I’ve ever been apart of.

Highlight of the year - There have been a few major highlights of 2020. One of them was being flown to Antwerp in Belgium to rehearse for Magic Mike Live and being able to experience a country I’ve never been to before with some of the most beautiful people. I will honour and cherish that memory forever. Also, by year end we will have opened Magic Mike Live in Sydney. It’s crazy to have started rehearsals for this back in January and to finally have it come to fruition.

Goals for 2021 - My goals for 2021 are to push myself to be the best dancer and performer that I can possibly be - including making my body do things it’s never done before! I hope to inspire, create and be a positive influence on the community around me!

Advice you wish to share with other dancers - Say yes to everything. Be strong and know your worth but say yes to the opportunities that are presented because you never know where they could lead.

Follow Ned’s adventures @ned_zaina

Luca Dinardo

Professional Dancer and Choreographer

What you’ve learnt from 2020 - The biggest lesson I’ve learnt this year is appreciating what you have. I found that the only way I could get through without spiralling was acknowledging and appreciating what I did have, which when I started to think about it, was still so much even when it felt like everything had disappeared. It also allowed me to stop and think about what is really necessary in life and releasing all that no longer served my journey from this moment forward.

Highlight of the year - As hard as it is to talk about success after such a rough year, my highlights would definitely be making my choreographic debut with RENT playing at the Sydney Opera House and booking Hamilton for 2021!

Goals for 2021 - A big goal of mine is to ensure that self love stays at the top of my priority list, like it did for the entirety of lockdown. As we start to get busier, it’s really important to start filtering through the self love and self care from the beginning and work it into our schedules. It’s definitely on my non-negotiable list of weekly activities.

Continuing to use my privilege to educate, learn from, and fight for minority groups who deserve equal rights is another big goal I wish to continue into 2021. 2020 gave greater awareness to the inequalities that are around us and I refuse to let it just be a moment and not a movement. Now we know better, we must do better - especially within the Performing Arts Industry. Supporting the people around you will only create a better future for everyone, so always choose kindness.

I won’t list all my goals but I do also want drink more water! Sounds ridiculous I know, but it’s actually a big challenge for me. We all know the benefits of drinking more water, I just need to constantly remind myself when things get super busy to fuel and hydrate!

Advice you wish to share with other dancers - As hard as this year was with all the setbacks we had, we all experienced it together. We can’t make this year an excuse for the next. We must get up, start again and not lean on the lack of training, classes, or performing we had. New year, new headspace and new opportunities. That’s a million and one chances and reasons to get going and hustle. Listen to your heart, mind and body and only look forward. We can’t let this year stop us and let it cause overwhelm. Be the person that grew stronger from this and don’t let anything stop you.

Follow Luca’s adventures @luca_dinardo

Mackenzie Duffy

Melbourne Dancer and Model

What you’ve learnt from 2020 - I’ve learnt to make the most of every opportunity and not take anything for granted!

Highlight of the year - Returning to my studio Dance Nation Academy after months of training at home! It feels so good to be back in our amazing facility with my dance family and teachers again.

Goals for 2021 - To build my strength and technique back up. After spending a lot the year training at home I have to work hard to get back to where I was before the lockdown.

Advice you wish to share with other dancers - Don’t compare yourself to other dancers. We all have different strengths and abilities. Just focus on your goals and work hard!

Follow Mackenzie’s adventures @mackenzieduffy_

Tarik Frimpong

Founder of the AOC Initiative. Professional Actor, Singer and Dancer.

What you’ve learnt from 2020 - 2020 was wild! I think back to NYE 2019 and I certainly didn’t anticipate 2020 playing out the way it did. Having spent a large portion of my 2020 in lockdown, both in Melbourne and London, 2020 has taught me a myriad of lessons. One of the most prominent being that it’s always possible to turn things around. From the darkest moments and spaces beautiful things can grow.

2020, and particularly my work with the AOC Initiative, has taught me that you can be the change you wish to see in the world. This year re-affirmed for me that there is no better time than now. Take what you have and start where you are. If you wait until you are ready you will be waiting for the rest of your life. 2020 has also well and truly taught me that difficult conversations are the conversations worth having, and usually the conversations most needed. Communication is key.

Highlight of the year - My highlight for 2020 would have to be the Zoom call with Martha Berhane, during which I revealed to her that she was the 2020 AOC Initiative Winner. During the Zoom call I was able to see her initial, immediate response to the news, as well as hear about how positive and rewarding her AOC Initiative experience has been. This 2020 moment, which appropriately took place on Zoom, is a moment I will never forget.

Goals for 2021 - One of my goals for 2021, in alignment with my life mantra (“If you want something go get it. Period”) is to create more of my OWN work/art. For years I’ve had ideas on top of ideas swirling through my head and I want to bring these ideas to life - creating my own music and short films as well as writing my own cabarets/shows. Stay tuned.

Advice you wish to share with other dancers - My advice to other dancers would be to check in with yourself and others regularly. 2020 and the temporary pause our industry experienced, allowed us more down time, and therefore more time to check in on ourselves and others. Don’t just check in only to find out how friends/dancers careers or training is going. Check in to see how THEY are doing.

A second piece of advice for dancers, artists and anyone really: “back yourself - and keep showing up!”

Follow Tarik’s adventures @tarikfrimpong

Kyra Dooley

Professional Dancer & Energetiks Model Search Winner 2020

What you’ve learnt from 2020 - This year has definitely taught me patience and to never give up on my dreams. Even though 2020 was such a tough year for everyone in the entertainment industry it only made me want to work harder for the upcoming year.

Highlight of the year - The highlight of my year was working with Kate Warmald and the incredible team of the new and upcoming movie Elvis. This was definitely a once in life time opportunity that I’m extremely grateful for.

Goals for 2021 - I definitely have some big goals for the future but hopefully for 2021 it would to be to get cast in an upcoming dance show or musical and to branch out more into modelling/tv and film work.

Advice you wish to share with other dancers - My advice for other dancers would be to never stop taking class. Even though this year has been so unfortunate for taking regular dance classes do the best you can to stay fit and healthy.

Follow Kyra’s adventures @kyradooley

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Article by Sheree Ronai-Horvath
Photography by Elly Ford
Photograph of Tarik Frimpong by George Hodson

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