Romney McMath

Romney was two when she started dancing at a local studio. When her parents saw her potential, they moved her to Studio 11, with Kylie Vassallo, then to Village, Smash and finally Brent Street. After completing her full time training she applied for the Show | Business intensive with Marko Panzic. “It changed my whole life!” says Romney, who is excited to make her debut with Dream Dance Co in GODDESS.

What was your experience with Marko’s Show | Business course?

A bunch of my friends did the in-room audition and I actually missed it. When the online audition came up I applied and I got through! We trained four days a week Monday to Thursday, and during the day we’d have a couple of dance classes, or one-on-one sessions with Marko and Katie, where they would help us decide what we want to do with our careers. Then we had people in like Sarah Burns, one of Beyonce’s former dancers, Caetlyn Watson, and we had Lee Daniel as our international guest; he choreographed a piece on us. At the end of the three months we did a showcase.

How did that lead you to the Dream Dance Company?

I was already thinking of auditioning, and Caetlyn is one of my favourite choreographers, so when it came out that she was the choreographer for this season I was like “OK, I have to do this”.

What would you say is your signature style?

Maybe like a fusion between hip hop and contemporary? During full time training I loved the contemporary classes but I also loved hip hop, so I found ways to manipulate each style to fit the other. I learnt how it would work on my body, like OK now I’m in hip hop, but how can I change it a little bit and make it contemporary.

What are your thoughts on Caetlyn’s style?

It’s so unique, and so controlled. I feel like she’s so in command of every little thing that she does, and that’s really hard to do. She’s amazing.

Who else inspires you?

There’s a few! I have to say one of my ballet teachers, because she’s done everything for me, Miss B. And Marko of course, I just think he’s the most amazing person, I don’t understand how he’s so driven. There’s so many! Cat Santos, she’s another level of human. I did Cat’s I Am Her project week, and her mind and her mentality on connecting with her body is incredible. Just being around her for a week and learning about that was amazing.

What are your most excited for with the upcoming GODDESS tour?

I’m most excited for all of it! But I’ve never been able to travel and dance, so I think that’s going to be really cool. I’ve never had that opportunity before.

What’s your dance philosophy?

I guess hard work, always, as every dancer would probably say. I also believe in having courage, support and love for each other. I find sometimes that not everyone has that even for themselves. There are days when I don’t have any support for myself and I just need someone else. So I really believe in giving that to others.

Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring dancers?

Keep pushing no matter what happens. Things get chucked in your way and there’s always hardships but to push through is so important.