Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong is handling diplomacy at a federal level; however, a Canberra Dance Company is furthering international relations at a global level.
Twenty teenagers from Legs Dance Studio will represent Australia at the International Children’s Culture and Art Festival in China (the second largest in the Southern Hemisphere), alongside 40 other countries. Not only are they treated like superstars, but their five-day stay is also paid for by the local municipality.
Every year Legs Dance Studio receives an invitation and according to director Michelle Heine, the Australian delegates have become one of the most popular.
“Our kids are very animated, so we’ve become one of the popular delegations,” Michelle said. “Everyone wants photos with our kids, everyone wants to be with our kids, they want to know about what we do. They just love them and it’s such a wonderful opportunity to share cultures.”
The Canberra teens, aged 13 to 17, are busy stocking up on Australian souvenirs to exchange with their international counterparts in China. Ironically, the vast majority of their souvenir Australian flags and clip-on kangaroos are made in China.
“All the kids who go say that their best memories of our dance studio is the China trip because they get elevated, they come back as superstars,” Michelle said. “I’ve got to then bring them back to reality back in Australia.”
Legs Dance Studio has also taken students to Disneyland and on cruises, but when they’re given the choice between China and America, they always choose China.
“What happens in China is that there’s the social interaction with the kids from all over the world,” Michell said. “They have an opening ceremony where all the groups parade with their traditional dress and flag and we perform about five times during the festival. It’s the most phenomenal thing.”
Legs Dance Studio has an impressive alumnus, with one former student landing a 15-month contract performing at Universal Studios in Beijing (whom Michelle plans on visiting). Another former student has just landed a part in Hamilton, which opens in Sydney in July.
Michelle said that even though their hotel and food expenses are covered by Tianjin municipality, they still need to raise funds for international airfares, plus costumes and uniforms.
Legs fundraising golf day is being held on Friday 7 June at Burns Club Belconnen. Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1228683
