January was certainly an amazing start to the year. 

A great way to shake off the 2020 cobwebs!

Nationals were held all across Australia... starting off with a bang with Evolution in Queensland, Showcase in NSW, Follow Your Dreams headed to SA for the first time (capping off a huge 25 years!), Revolution of Dance in WA, DanceLife Unite in NSW, Get the Beat NSW Finals!

I was incredibly lucky to put my dance mum hat on and watch my daughter perform at Evolution.  After watching last year, this year did not disappoint with the vibe created at the lovely RACV Royal Pines Resort.  Starting the week with a couple of workshops then heading into solos.  Then of course everyone knows what happened next.  Congratulations to the incredible team lead by Hope Couch.  You lead from the front to ensure everything that needed to be done was done to the best of what situation was thrown at you.  Needless to say, we arrived home a day earlier than expected!

Next to Follow Your Dreams.  What a show that was put on.  My home state of Adelaide, provided an incredible opportunity to have interstate visitors come and see our beautiful city.  Again, the week started off with a couple of workshops, then onto the solos. Another incredibly well run National Competition, led by Kylie Drew and her team.  Not only did she have dance nationals, but also singing nationals together with pageant Walk the Runway nationals.

The best part (in my opinion) about going to Nationals, is the way all the dancers support each other.  They cheer from the side.  Everyone makes new friends and cannot wait to see them again.  Whilst it is nice to come away with an award, nothing can beat the memories created for life.

The electricity created at Nationals is wonderful.  The talent is ridiculous!   When the App was first launched I headed to Showcase Nationals (2018)... this is where it all started for me and being so inspired by the organisation that goes into creating such an event.

My hat goes off to everyone involved.  This year particularly as the goal posts kept changing.  Keep doing what you are doing.  I know there are so many people out there who are absolutely appreciate the time and energy you all put in.

Thanks so much Sharon x

INTRODUCING AMBASSADOR - DAISY SEXTON

Read Below Daisy's road to recovery from a terrible injury.

The day after my end of year dance concert, my sister and I were doing Acro tricks at home for fun, when I landed funny on my knee and then felt a burning pain.  When I looked down to see my knee, it had gone sideways around my leg and I absolutely knew something serious had happened!

After a trip to my local hospital’s A&E and an X-ray, I was referred for an MRI which resulted in the worst possible scenario. I had dislocated my knee AND tore the meniscus and ACL at the same time.  At this point I could barely walk.  The very next day I started physio.

I’m feeling positive about the road ahead, even though I don’t know how close or far I still am from returning to the stage at this point.  I do have a certain date in my mind for a particular event I’d love to dance at, and I’ve already had my choreographers restructure my solos.  So that if I’m able to do something at some point down the road, I can do so safely with moves that won’t add any stress to my injury.  I am learning to adapt.

I find for me, it’s good to have this goal to work towards and even though it all felt like the end of the world when it first happened, I truly think this injury and the road back will be the making of me and I’ll come back stronger than before!

WISHING DAISY A SPEEDY RECOVERY!

Photos: @chaisingmotion