AT SIX years old Isaac Clark was dancing along to his favourite television show, Hi-5.
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Now in Year 12, he will perform a featured role in front of a crowd of thousands at the Sydney School’s Spectacular.
“I dance because it really captivates an audience,” he said.
I dance because it really captivates an audience.
- Isaac Clark.
“The way we move our body, the way we bend or stretch, the way we can articulate movements with small body parts.
“To the audience it seems so easy, that’s what I really love about it, they think it’s a different planet, they think they’re seeing completely different humans.
“It’s something they can watch and enjoy without having to think about anything else.”
In it’s 34th year, the performance will star more than 5,700 students.
There are 145 featured dancers from public schools across NSW.
Travelling to Sydney every fortnight for intensive dance classes and private tuition, Isaac hopes to be accepted into the Sydney Dance Company pre-professional program.
The first time Isaac took part in a School’s Spectacular was when he was in Year 7.
“I remember I was in a hotel room with my teacher, and she asked me one question that I distinctly remember,” he said.
“She said, ‘Isaac, do you have any idea what you’re getting yourself into?’”
His main style at the moment is contemporary, keeping in line with his ballet technique.
“When featured dancer auditions came around I definitely knew what I was going to go for,” Isaac said.
“In terms of competition it can make you very mentally aware of what they’re thinking, where their eye level is drawn to while you’re dancing.
“You become very self-conscious because they all think that because I’m from a regional area that quality teaching isn’t available.”
When it comes to competitions and auditions, Isaac said he really had to block them out of his mind and just focus on the movements.
“You have about 20 minutes to learn the choreography for the audition and then you have to perform it, incorporating technique and artistry,” he said.
“So it can be quite stressful.”
Through all this, Isaac is still trying to focus on his HSC – with trial exams next week.
“I know I probably shouldn’t say this, but dance is my priority,” he said.
The School’s Spectacular is on November 24 and 25.