Training to be a dancer is an intense and time-consuming commitment that leaves little time for other pursuits. Young dancer Indya Gardner, however, has managed to not only excel in her dance training, but also in her academic work. The Queensland Dance School of Excellence (QDSE) student has been awarded the school’s Most Outstanding Dancer of the Year and has also bagged the title of 2012 Dux of Kelvin Grove State College.
Indya explains that there is no magic secret to her success aside from her love of dance. “It took a lot of hard work and sacrifices, and many many late nights to balance the two,” she says. “Because dancing is my passion, however, my dance studies at QDSE each day were my release from the pressures of the heavy academic workload.”
Although Indya is proud of her academic achievements, she is not tempted to stray from the dance path. “Next year I will be undertaking full-time classical ballet training in Queensland Ballet's Pre-Professional Program,” she says. “Under the direction of Queensland Ballet’s new Artistic Director, Li Cunxin and Director of Training, Christian Tátchev, I hope to keep learning and improving as a dancer and an artist.”
With her academic ability, Indya could, clearly, pursue a number of careers. So what makes dance so special to her? “I love the challenge that dancing presents to us every day when we step into the studio... constantly trying to push the boundaries and better yourself from the day before,” she replies. “When performing, I love being able to show my heart to the audience, to inspire and take them on a journey, if only for a short time.”
Indya Gardner
