SHE went from a young girl in a tutu at a Dubbo dance school to being the first Indigenous dancer in The Australian Ballet (TAB) so it's apparent why Ella Havelka has been named the 2014 DREAM Festival's artist of the year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The award is designed to raise the profile of the arts, specifically highlighting successful artists who have emerged from the region.
"It's a great honour. I didn't actually know much about the DREAM Festival before the nomination but once I started researching I found it was a great initiative," Ms Havelka said.
Last year Ms Havelka was presented with Dancer of the Year at the Deadly Awards but she said in some ways the DREAM nomination was far more meaningful.
"It's really important, just for what it does for young, country kids in the community. It helps the next generation of country kids realise they can get out there and live their dream."
The ballerina joined TAB in 2013 as the company's first Indigenous dancer after dancing with the Bangarra Dance Theatre since 2008.
"I've always had an affinity for ballet but I did love contemporary dance."
Ms Havelka said at times being the first Indigenous ballerina at TAB felt "a little bit daunting".
"I see myself as a regular dancer. I do everything all the other dancers do, it's just an extra part of who I am," Ms Havelka said.
She is currently dancing in Peter Wright's Nutcracker and preparing to travel to the United States to perform in a tour of Swan Lake.
Ms Havelka's advice to Dubbo artists looking to make a career from their art is persistence and a strong support base.
"Keep looking and trying and applying to things," she said.
Ms Havelka will be presented with her award during a luncheon on Sunday, September 21.
