Dillmac’s national champion senior troupe won with their performance Double Bubble Dutchess choreographed by tutor Millie McKenzie.
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Dozens of the regions youngest and brightest musical talents twirled, tumbled and harmonised their way to national stardom last month.
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Kyabram and Echuca’s Dillmac cohort joined thousands of other dancers and singers from across the country and internationally in Adelaide for Follow Your Dreams, an annual national performing arts competition.
The 28-strong group shared three stages at the Adelaide Convention Centre from January 11 to January 17, coming away with 18 first placings over the entire competition.
The competition is the pinnacle of Dillmac’s competition calendar, and while she wasn’t at the competition in person, owner Liz Dillon was glued to her phone keeping track of the results as they came in.
She said she couldn’t be prouder of her cohort.
“They come on and off the stage so professionally for kids, and they’re always just so smiley and always so nice to everyone — they’re just great kids,” Liz said.
“I know every dance school has got great kids, but to keep winning like they have is fabulous.”
Dancers competed in solo, duo, trio and troupe competitions in genres such as hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and lyrical — all choreographed by senior dance tutor Millie McKenzie.
Zay Ryan was crowned the open vocal champion.
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The vocalists competed in musical categories such as pop, Disney, musical theatre and ballad.
Each student earned their place at nationals through rigorous qualification at regional competitions in Moama or Melbourne, achieving scores that demonstrated exceptional talent.
The group went on to claim 18 first placings, 12 second placings and seven third placings, but the ultimate triumph was the senior dance troupe being crowned national champions.
Liz hadn’t expected the senior troupe to win due to the number of teams competing — over 15 — but the local team prevailed in every section it competed in.
And over on the singing stage, it was the same story, with both Lila Mislicki (Under-13) and Zay Ryan (Open) crowned national champions in their respective categories.
Liz thanked all the businesses and groups who helped the team get to Adelaide, including Moama Lions Club, Ky Cleaning, Kyabram Moonlit Market, Breath Lab Echuca and Hair Renovations Kyabram.
While the $70,000 trip was largely self-funded, the community stepped in to help.
Local businesses and a $5000 student-led fundraising effort ensured the cohort could make it to the starting line.
“We’ve been doing competitions for a long time, but going to nationals is a big thing, and it was a big effort on everyone’s part — so thank you,” she said.
While the national trophies are safely tucked away, the adrenaline is far from fading.
The Dillmac stars are already back in the studio, preparing to defend their home turf when the Follow Your Dreams circuit arrives at the Kyabram Plaza Theatre this April.
Dillmac’s under-8 troupe won in all of the sections, including with a musical theatre performance of Ease on Down the Road.
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