At just eleven-years-old Jennifer Smith is a rising star in the dance world.
The Tamborine Mountain Dance Academy (TMDA) student recently competed in the Brisbane edition of the prestigious Australian Classical Grand Prix and was one of only a few finalists selected to compete in the Grand Final in Sydney from June 14 to 16.
Jennifer has been training at TMDA since she was four years old and is part of the highly regarded Australian Ballet School Interstate Training Program.
At the end of June she will be dancing in the Brisbane City Youth Ballet performance of Alice in Wonderland.
Tamborine Mountain Dance Academy principal Poppy-Jane Todd said Jennifer is not only a gifted dancer and performer, but also works incredibly hard.
“She is committed to excelling in all her pursuits and has incredible potential for success in the future, whether or not she decides to pursue dance professionally,” Poppy-Jane said.
In addition to studying the Russian Vaganova ballet syllabus taught at TMDA, Jennifer also trains in contemporary, lyrical jazz and acrobatic dance styles.
She also just received a first place in the Lyrical section at the Future Stars Dance Competition on the Gold Coast with her dance entitled Gravity, choregraphed by TMDA owner, Poppy-Jane Todd.
“I put my heart and energy into dancing,” Jennifer said.
“When I dance my feelings just let go and I feel free and at one with the music.
“What I hate is when people tell me dance isn’t a sport, because it’s much more than just moving your arms and legs. You need strength, technique, discipline and flexibility.”
Jennifer said she has just learnt how to do an aerial (a cartwheel in the air with no hands) and hopes to dance en pointe in a year.
