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Youth Week &
K I D S ’
H E A L T H
ISAAC CLARK.
ARMIDALE TEENAGER ISAAC CLARK STARTED DANCING AT THE AGE OF SIX. NOW HE HAS DANCED WITH AUSTRALIAN DANCE ENTERPRISES FOR ELEVEN YEARS AND IS REGARDED AS AN UP AND COMING DANCER TO WATCH. ISAAC SHARES HIS JOURNEY SO FAR ...
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ow long have you lived in Armidale? Tell us about your family ... I was born in Armidale and have lived here my whole life. I attended St Mary’s Primary School, Duval High School and am now in Year 11 at Armidale High School. I am the fifth of six children in my family. My dad works at Ducats, and my mum is a Dental Assistant. When and why did you first become involved with dancing? I began dancing at the age of six at Australian Dance Enterprises with Colette Brazier. Popular TV shows such as Hi-5 began my interest and love for dance, and I began taking recreational Jazz classes. At the age of nine I began taking ballet classes, as my love for dance grew. When 11 years old, I met Scottish ballet dancer, Tama Barry, who further inspired me to continue dancing and introduced me to the viable option of becoming a professional dancer. Through this contact I started travelling to Sydney to attend Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre, with whom I have continued to attend classes and workshops on a casual basis whilst still attending Australian Dance Enterprises (ADE). Tell us about some of the places you have 36 new england focus.
performed? Enterprises for 11 years. I take six hours of I started performing and competing when I classes a week as well as private lessons, was seven, which included the local eisteddfod stretching and physio everyday and my and ADE’s annual recital, which I continue to own private practice. I also attend the gym do. I have also danced at showcases in the once a week with my older sister, Hannah. mall, local shopping centres and Additionally, I attend regular regional and school performing arts nights, state dance workshops. I am also and most recently the studying dance for the HSC. Armidale Community of Who inspires you? Schools Concert. My inspiration for dance e ar s nd My frie I have also comes not only from my st te ea gr my performed on wonderful teachers that y m d an t suppor t Pa , er a regional level, extend from Sydney, ak m e um cost est including featuring Tamworth, and Armidale Nield , is my bigg ” ). highly in New but former students of ADE, fan (next to Mum England Dance Festival class mates and dancers of and Capers and am the Australian Ballet Company. a member of the New Who has been involved England Dance Ensemble. Last getting you to this level? year I was a member of the NSW It is has taken a lot of hard work and Public Schools State Dance Ensemble, sacrifice to make it to this point. This includes which involved performing at the many hours of travel, huge expense and State Dance Festival and School’s Spectacular time away from home. I often sacrifice time in Sydney. Recently, in January, I danced at with friends to travel and train. My teachers Ecole’s Summer School and was awarded most obviously have got me this far, both locally and outstanding dancer, for which I have won state. My family has played a huge role. This a story and photo shoot in the September/ includes my sister Hannah, who trains with October issue of Dance Train. me at the gym, my sister Holly, who helps me What training is involved to keep at the when I am in Sydney, and my sister Rebekah, top of your craft? who competes with me as she dances as well. I have now trained with Australian Dance My brother Matthew composes classical music
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that I hope to dance to one day. My youngest brother, Sam, pushes me with acrobatics. My mum and dad work really hard to support my dance dream and my employers, Kmart and Armidale Community Preschool, allow me to juggle paid employment with dance commitments. My friends are my greatest support and my costume maker, Pat Nield, is my biggest fan (next to Mum). My grandma has also given me a lot support over the years. She would always walk me to dance class and still sews the elastics on my ballet shoes. What are your other interests? Other interests include: spending time with family, going to the gym with my oldest sister and hanging out with the best friendship group that I have ever had at Armidale High School. I am also interested in the Apple Company and their products and I have several pets. I also enjoy assistant teaching baby ballet with Miss Colette. Plans for the future? I plan to complete my HSC at Armidale High school whilst travelling to Sydney to prepare for an audition for the pre professional year at Sydney Dance Company. I ultimately aim to become a professional dancer based in a company. Thanks Isaac.