Dancer makes grade

By Lia Bichel
TONI O’Sughrue is taking the dance world by storm.
The 17-year-old only began dancing two years ago at Backstage Dance Academy, Narre Warren, and was last week accepted to a full-time course at the professional dance training institute, Patrick Studios Australia, Prahan.
Backstage Dance Academy principal Jess Solomon said this was the first major achievement for someone in the academy since it began two years ago.
“Toni has a lot of dedication and drive. She has improved from beginner status two years ago to dancing at a professional standard,” Ms Solomon said.
“I am really proud of her,” she said.
An experienced gymnast, Ms O’Sughrue said she wanted to test her skills in dance after she read about Jess Solomon in a local newspaper.
“I wanted to try something different,” she said. “I never thought I would come this far but I like everything about it. I’m very passionate about dancing,” Ms O’Sughrue said.
The young dancer spends five days a week dancing ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, acrobatics, lyrical and contemporary. Four days a week, Ms O’Sughrue student teaches with Ms Solomon, giving lessons in ballet, jazz, top and contemporary.
Ms O’Sughrue had to apply for a spot at Patrick Studios Australia before she was called in to audition. She performed a hip hop and jazz routine as director Todd Patrick critiqued from the sidelines.
Ms O’Sughrue said she was excited about being accepted into the school and hoped to pursue a career in the industry.
“I was hopeful that I would get accepted, and I had a lot of people supporting me,” she said. “I’m a little nervous but I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, one day I can travel the world performing on a cruise ship.”