Chello hits the big time

AIMING HIGH: Chello Ngata’s first love is hip-hop dance, but here she is in ballerina mode for her online audition to Brent Street Studios — Australia’s leading commercial dance and performing arts academy. The young Gisborne woman has been accepted into the dance school, where back up dancers are picked for touring artists. She is the first Gisborne dancer to be accepted and was the first student at Gisborne’s Dancefit Studios. Picture by Zara Staples

A young Gisborne dancer has been accepted into Australia’s leading commercial and performing arts dance school.

Chello Ngata, 17, found out last Thursday she had been accepted into Brent Street Studios on Australia’s Gold Coast — which is like the country’s “university of dance”.

It was emotional news for the Gisborne Girls’ High School student, who has dedicated the last 11 years to dancing.

“I’ve had to work hard to get where I am. I’ve put in the work at the studio but also at home with stretches and what I eat.”

Chello is a vegetarian and very aware of what she eats so she can put in 12-hour days of dancing.

Dancefit Studios owner Tessa Beattie admires Chello’s stamina.

Ms Beattie said she had a natural rhythm when she joined at the age of 7, and was the first student to enrol at Dancefit Studios on Palmerston Road.

“I could see the potential in those young feet. She was performing solos by the age of 8.

“It’s a neat celebration for Gisborne.

“Someone from a small town making it into a big industry.

“It’s like someone making the All Blacks. People don’t realise how much of a sport dance is.”

Brent Street Studios covers singing, acting and dancing. It is a top pick for touring artists to pick back-up dancers from when they tour Australia — it would be Chello’s ultimate dream to be one of those picked.

Chello will attend the academy for one year at a cost of $13,000.

She auditioned online with seven videos, which covered all the genres of dance (including ballet, in which Chello had to have a crash course), as well as a monologue and singing videos.

Ms Beattie is proud her very first student has made it to such heights in the commercial dance industry.

“She’s a very cool, very special student who has very supportive parents.”

“I’ve had very supportive teachers,” added Chello.

Chello will move to the Gold Coast in December with her parents and starts as a student at Brent Street Studios in February.