Maddison takes big steps towards dance goal

When Secret Harbour teenager Maddison Wells is dancing, all her troubles melt away and she feels free.

Entering her first dance class as a five-year-old, Maddison said she originally followed her friends into the studio but after a few years decided she wanted to chase her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Now 16, Maddison is on her way to achieving her goals.

Dancing with the All About Dance Company and Australian Performing Arts Network, Maddison commits six days a week to training - with her focus on jazz, hip-hop, tap and musical theatre.

"I just love it so much - if I'm tired I just push through it," she said. She is now rehearsing for the High School Musical production at the Regal Theatre in August, where she will dance as part of the ensemble group.

Maddison said one of her proudest moments was being successful in her audition for APAN - a competitive process - in 2013.

Through APAN, she has the opportunity to work with industry professionals and dance on the world stage.

"Last year in July, I went on the New York and Orlando trip with my dance group and we did workshops with Broadway stars and American dancers in New York, and then we flew to Orlando and performed at Disney World," Maddison said.

"I thought it was the best experience I'd ever had because I got to learn so much." On top of rehearsals and training, Maddison is a junior teacher at All About Dance Port Kennedy.

"I like working with young kids … I just like watching them go onstage and have fun, knowing that I helped them throughout the year," she said.

Maddison said she hoped to complete her studies in dance and move to the Eastern States to pursue her career goals in commercial dance, and later in life, open her own dance school.

She thanked all her dance teachers who had at some point encouraged her to continue dancing.

"Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today," Maddison said.

She encouraged other dancers to never give up.