2019 Sketa Oz Award Winners = Talent +

It is with great pleasure, I announce this year's Sketa Oz Perpetual Award Recipients Xavier Xue and Samantha Geddes.  Both dancers found incredible strength, flexibility and agility in showcasing their talents at this year's Brisbane Eisteddfods.  

Photo - Sketa Oz

Xavier Xue
2019 Sketa Oz Most Promising JUNIOR Classical Dancer - Brisbane Eisteddfods ​

Photo - Sketa Oz

 Samantha Geddes
​2019 Sketa Oz Most Promising SENIOR Classical Dancer - Brisbane Eisteddfods

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Every year, I am blown away by the sheer, hard work and talent that seems to come together seamlessly, in front of our eyes. Unfortunately, this is not an instantaneous occurrence and both dancers know well - blisters, aching muscles and hours upon hours of perfected practice. What we see on stage, is the result of earnest diligence and dedication to one's craft. It is the culmination of years of work - rehearsed breathing, perfected turns, articulated rhythm, uniquely blended choreography and passion, in abundance.

Photo - Sketa Oz - Repertoire dancers and award winners - both junior and senior; guest adjudicators - Tim Podesta (centre) and Nicole Davis (right)

It is behind the scenes - mums and dads getting up at the crack of dawn, to drive keen dancers to the studio for the extra lessons before school; it is selfless sacrifice of not only one's family assisting a dream, but a teacher, a coach, a mentor and copious warm hugs from friends - when the days get hard, when a dancer's world seems not that shiny.

​And when the fruits of their hard labour, turn sweetly ripe, we gladly join in to celebrate their achievements - a breath in the moment of time, when one can smile and say, 'I did what I set out to do'. Yet, we dancers' know well, prestigious sweet rewards don't come easily and tomorrow ones life time friend - the ballet bar will be waiting eagerly for us to perfect that plie', for the hundredth time. :)