Ella Havelka provided the advice as she reflected on her progression from a teen with talent a decade ago to today performing with The Australian Ballet.

Her career success was recognised on Sunday when she was presented with the 2014 DREAM Festival Artist of the Year award at Dubbo.

Family, friends and other fans gathered for the luncheon amid decorations of organza pink ballet slippers and dancer dolls, and earlier performances were screened.

Ms Havelka flew in from Melbourne to attend in between being on stage for Peter Wright's Nutcracker and said it was exciting to be the third recipient of the award, established in 2012 to raise the profile of the arts.

The first Aboriginal dancer to join the ranks of The Australian Ballet, she urged young dancers to expand their horizons and try classes in the big cities.

"Put yourself out there," Ms Havelka said.

"And surround yourself with supportive people - you need that, especially in a country town."

She also paid tribute to her mother, Janna Havelka, who went with her to Melbourne so she could join the Australian Ballet School aged 15.

"I definitely wouldn't have made it without her," she said.

"Mum always encouraged me to dream big and she provided me with the same opportunities (as others had) even though she was a single parent living in Dubbo."

On the visit that brought back memories for Ms Havelka there was a reunion with former dance teacher Suzanne Duffy.

"I remember having so much fun with Suzanne, she developed my passion and was generous, helping with hair, make-up and costumes," Ms Havelka said.

"She created a beautiful duet for me and a friend, I'll never forget."

Ms Duffy applauded her former student and the heights she had already reached.

"She was beautiful, a really hard worker, I could tell that she loved it, and obviously she was really physically talented but she was also dedicated and really focused from a young age, which is quite unusual," she said.

"To sit in the audience and think wow, she's made it, it's incredible," Ms Duffy said.

"And also, she's just a beautiful girl and she's very grounded and very humble."