By CAROLINE STRAINIG
A YOUNG Port Macquarie woman has won a coveted place in the Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional program.
Phillipa Mills, 18, was one of 25 selected from four classes of about 30 people from all over Australia who auditioned.
She was upstairs in her room studying for her Modern History HSC exam when she received the phone call telling her of her selection.
“I was very, very excited,” Phillipa said.
“I couldn’t wait to get off the phone to tell my parents. I knew I had danced well, but I also was aware that it is extremely rare for someone like me who is just a part-time dancer to get into the program because you are competing against full-time dancers.”The pre-professional program will run from February to December next year, after which dancers will be offered a position at the company or coached to apply for positions with other companies in Australia and overseas.
“My dream is to dance in Europe,” Phillipa said, adding that contemporary dance was her favourite form of ballet.
Phillipa had been auditioning for several full-time dance schools for 2014, but said yes straight away to the Sydney Dance Company, knowing it was top of her list of choices.
The principal of Wauchope and Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Stacey Morgan, was thrilled at her achievement.
“For a dance student to be accepted into this program without prior full-time training is unheard of,” Ms Morgan said.
“It’s a testament to Phillipa’s strong work ethic, her dedication and her technical ability. Phillipa has been completing her HSC, studying for her Solo Seal Ballet exam, all while also preparing herself for this audition.
“She is a great role model for all of our students and we are so proud of her!”
