Young tapper given “fab-u-lous” artistic backing

BALLARAT Grammar’s Daisy Rogers is tapping into a new era of life treading the boards.

A student of SKH Performing Arts, the young dancer was recently selected for the Australian Tap Team, hopefully travelling to Mexico to jump on stage at the International Dance Organisation’s Commonwealth Cup.

“I’ve been overwhelmed. I still don’t believe it, it’s big news,” she said. “All different countries come together, compete and hope to win.”

The latest recipient of the Ballarat Arts Foundation’s Craig Revel-Horwood Award for Contemporary Dance and Choreography, Daisy was financially supported in her registration for Melbourne’s Australian Tap Festival.

“Tap Fest led me to the Forge Tap Project, allowing me to improve my technique and confidence to audition for the Tap Team,” she said.

“I couldn’t have done that without the Ballarat Arts Foundation’s help. The constant, ongoing support, even after the grant, has been amazing. Paula Nicholson loves hearing about our good news.”

Originally a boy from Ballarat East, Revel-Horwood is a beloved judge on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing and Australia’s Dancing with the Stars, known for his firm, “fab-u-lous” critiques.

He’s the patron of Ballarat Lyric Theatre where his performing talents were discovered and nurtured.

“It is always fabulous to be able to support the emerging artists of Ballarat through the Ballarat Arts Foundation,” he said.

“What a pleasure to be able to meet Daisy as she takes to the stage to represent Australia with her dancing.”

The Ballarat Arts Foundation is offering grants in 2020. Visit ballaratartsfoundation.org.au.