At just 11 years old, Abbey Rowland-Jones has her sights clearly set on becoming a professional dancer and with how commendable she has performed at two recent National competitions, she is well on her way.
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The Dream Dance Academy student began dancing nine years ago and has a passion for ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and acrobatics.
The avid dancer trains approximately seven hours a week, travelling from Pyramul to Mudgee.
And, after successfully qualifying last year, she attended her first Nationals competition (Dancelife Unite, Sydney) in January where she placed in each section she entered receiving second for ballet solo and improvisation, third in contemporary solo and jazz improvisation, fourth in lyrical improvisation and highly commended for jazz solo, modern solo and contemporary improvisation.
"It was amazing, unlike an Eisteddfod because it has a real show feel to it. There's amazing lighting and an MC, competitions, huge awards ceremonies, it's very different," she said.
"I really did not expect to place in all eight sections, the competition is next level.
"It has always been one of my goals and something I would have just kept trying to achieve."
Abbey was ready to compete in her second Nationals competition in April but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus, so the show went online.
"It was really hard to film routines in a much smaller space and you don't get to see the other dances, only the judge gets to see all the videos so you can't gauge where you're at," Abbey said.
"With limited space, you need to alter some of your routines and you don't get that feeling from the crowd or the adrenaline from a competition, it was hard."
Despite the odds, Abbey rose to the occasion and once again dominated the categories, placing first in jazz championship, lyrical solo and lyrical improvisation, second in jazz solo, contemporary solo, ballet solo and ballet improvisation, and third in jazz improvisation, contemporary improvisation and modern championship.
"I was super happy with my Time to Shine National results. Again, I placed in all sections and received a huge box in the mail with 10 trophies which was very exciting," she said.
"I was super proud to receive a top five ultimate dancer award which has been another goal of mine."
It is rather unlikely Abbey will put an end to competing any time soon, always seizing an opportunity to take to centre stage.
I love competing. I love being inspired by other dancers and getting a gauge of how I'm going.
- Abbey Rowland-Jones
"I love the excitement, catching up with friends from other studios and I really enjoy the feedback, you always walk away with something to work on.
"Competitions keep me inspired and give me the drive to keep working hard."
Next up, Abbey will be dancing at the Orange and Bathurst Eisteddfods if they go ahead, and will be part of the NXTGEN Project which will feature six days of six to seven hour sessions a day in July with Stephen Tannos, Lauren Kate Seymour and Dayton Tavares.
"I can't thank Katie Fyfe enough, she is an amazing teacher," she said.