Charles Bartley and Ashleigh Tegart have wowed Dubbo audiences with their extraordinary talent for years.
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Now they are stepping into the national spotlight after securing coveted positions in the top 100 on So You Think You Can Dance Australia.
Charles and Ashleigh outdanced 1600 competitors to be part of the prestigious television program - due to be screened on Network Ten early next year.
They will be involved in an intense,week-long audition process in Sydney next month to whittle participants down to 20.
Charles, soon to turn 19, completed Year 12 at St John’s College last year. He is currently studying at the elite Brent Street Dance Studios in Sydney.
Ashleigh celebrates her 20th birthday this weekend. She is also a former St John’s College student. After intensive training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth she is moving to Melbourne to pursue a career in commercial dance and musical theatre.
Anna Bloomfield, of Dubbo Ballet Studio, is proud of her former students and confidently predicts Charles and Ashleigh would have strong and long dance careers.
“They have enormous talent and dedication,’’ Mrs Bloomfield said.
“Charles and Ashleigh have a huge fan base in Dubbo and a lot of people will be glued to the television when the program commences.’’
It was the same story last year when Dubbo Ballet Studio graduates Ella Havelka and Jamie Astley made it into the top 100 of the inaugural season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.
Program publicity manager Steve Murphy praised Dubbo Ballet Studio for producing so many excellent dancers.
“So You Think You Can Dance is the best dance competition Australia has ever seen. Getting into the top 100 is a big thing - it opens doors and means more work and a higher rate of pay,” Mr Murphy said.
“The key to success is passion and clearly judges saw something special in Charles and Ashleigh.’’
At the end of next month they will be working with high profile choreographers Nacho Pop, Jason Gilkson, Kelley Abbey and Sarah Bolter.
During the top 100 week So You Think You Can Dance Australia judges Jason Coleman, Matt Lee and Bonnie Lythgoe will be joined by special guest adjudicator Nigel Lythgoe, a noted film director, producer, choreographer and dancer.
Charles and Ashleigh yesterday told the Daily Liberal they were proud to represent Dubbo in such an amazing dance opportunity.
“Being together in the competition makes it so much better,’’they said.
heather.crosby@ruralpress.com
