Student Story - Gaia, Claudia, Makenzie | LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre

Recently I sat down with three of our beautiful LAUNCH 10/u Performance Team students to ask them some questions. These girl attend upwards of 10 classes a week and as a part of the Performance team, compete in eisteddfods. All three girls spoke with such passion and love for dance, I was very inspired by our short conversation. LAUNCH is such a special dance studio and Gaia, Claudia and Makenzie’s answers definitely explain why.

Caylee: Which class is your favourite and why?
Gaia: Hip Hop, Jazz and Acro because I learn lots of new things every week.
Claudia: Contemporary is my favourite because it is really fun. I started it last year and it’s very different to everything else that I learn and I love doing slow dancing.
Makenzie: My favourite is Acro because you get to flip and move.

Caylee: How long have you been apart of the LAUNCH PAC family?
Gaia: 2 or 3 years.
Claudia: 2 or 3 years as well.
Makenzie: I started at the start of last year.

Caylee: How does dancing make you feel?
Gaia: It makes me feel happy and really good.
Claudia: It makes me feel happy because I can be myself and can get in my own space. I pretend I’m in my own world and feel happy.
Makenzie: The opposite to bored.

Caylee: What skill are you really proud of?
Gaia: My side aerial.
Claudia: Doing my illusions and attitude leaps.
Makenzie: My round off back handsprings.

Caylee: What new skill are you working hard on right now?
Gaia: Stretch and technique to become a better dancer and be able to do more things.
Claudia: Acro because I really really really want to improve on coming up from my bridges and I try really hard.
Makenzie: Acro because I don’t have a bendy back want to make that better.

Caylee: Why do you love LAUNCH PAC?
Gaia: All the people here are so nice. It is such a nice and really fun place to be.
Claudia: I love LAUNCH because it is such a good environment and really friendly. I like that there is people here that love to dance as much as I do.
Makenzie: There is nowhere else like LAUNCH. I love it.

Caylee: Who is a dancer/performer you look up to?
Gaia: Karin, Britt and Miss Michelle.
Claudia: I look up to Britt.
Makenzie: My sister (Sam).

Caylee: What would you tell your LAUNCH PAC friends to help them be the best students/performers they can be?
Gaia: To work hard and don’t just be slack.
Claudia: To have good confidence in yourself, be as strong as you can be. Believe in yourself.
Makenzie: To practice and don’t be lazy.
Gaia: And don’t give up, because if you give up you’ll never get anything.

Caylee: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Gaia: A dancer!
Claudia: A stage performer!
Makenzie: An Acro teacher!

Michelle Doyle

As a leader in the Australian dance industry, Michelle has worked extensively in the performing arts for more than 20 years. Her career has seen her work with the world’s best directors and choreographers including Baz Lurhmann, George Miller, David Atkins, Kelley Abbey, Wade Robson, The Squared Division, John O’Connell, Jason Coleman and Dein Perry. Over two decades as a performing arts professional, Michelle secured roles in major stage productions including Singin’ in the Rain and Grease Arena Spectacular. She was cast in Happy Feet 2 and The Son of Mask, plus she performed on screen at the TV Week Logie Awards, Helpmann Awards, X Factor, Australian Idol, MTV Music Awards and Aria Awards. Michelle has danced for the Nickelodeon Awards and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She performed with leading music icons including Kylie Minogue, Jessica Mauboy, Tina Arena, Guy Sebastian, Boyzone, Vanessa Amorosi, The Rogue Traders and Sneaky Sound System.