Finalist - McDonald Ballet Scholarships 2007

Undeniably crowd favourite at this year's McDonald's Ballet Scholarships, young Aaron Smyth is a dancer on the verge of an amazing career. With an engaging charisma, stage presence and not to mention leap, Aaron Smyth is a talented 16 year old dancer from Benowa, Queensland.

Starting dancing at the age of eight after watching his sister do Jazz Class, Aaron had strength and flexibility from learning gymnastics, and a very natural talent which he has developed today. Aaron performed a classical solo of Basilio's Variation, ACT III of Don Quixote with guts, determination and amazing turns, along with a free modern variation that showed his pizzazz, plus versatility, in the Scholarship finals at Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall on July 29th. With a stunning performance, Aaron marked his place on the Australian dance scene.

Read below an exclusive interview with Aaron, where he talks about his experiences as a finalist in the prestigious McDonald's Ballet Scholarships, and his hopes for the future.

Where did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of 8 with Dianne Talbot. I was doing Gymnastics at the time so I guess I was pretty flexible, and I took to it straight away. Dianne used to say to my Mum that I was pretty talented, and I should do solos, but Mum didn't take her seriously until she saw me at a Gold Coast Eisteddfod where I'd pulled a costume together and sewed a few sequins on myself. She and my Dad really supported me after that.

I've been with Dianne Talbot now for 8 years, and it's been a passion which I live and breathe from the minute I wake up. I started doing Jazz and Tap with Dianne, but Dianne said that if I was serious about dancing I should take up Ballet, so I did at age 12 and haven't looked back. I study Ballet with Dawn and Joy Ransley on the Gold Coast and I've been there 3 years and have just completed my RAD Advanced 2 Exam. Dianne does all the choreography for my dancing, and I take Ballet, Tap and Jazz classes with her because I still love to Tap.

Congratulations on becoming a Finalist in the prestigious McDonald's Ballet Scholarships. How did you feel when you were given the position of Finalist? What did it feel like to compete at such a high level in front of such a large audience?

I was over the moon as it was a privilege to dance at the Opera House - a bit nerve racking, but an absolutely thrilling experience as I love to perform. The bigger the audience the better!

Tell us a little more about The Challenge. What were you required to do?

Firstly we had to do a boy's Master Class which was a bit daunting as the Judges talked and looked at us a lot, and I didn't know what they were thinking. Then all the competitors had to dance their variations. From these the judges picked about 40 for the Quarter finals where we had to do a Free Variation. Then the judges picked 20 for the semi-finals where the Judges watched a closed Master Class. From this, 8 Finalists were chosen.

What did competing in The McDonald's Challenge teach you about yourself and your art form?

That winning isn't everything. I think I danced really well on the night. The audience thought so, and Dianne always says it's not what the Judges think it's the response from the audience that counts. Most importantly, all the finalists got along really well; it was a real "Bonding Experience"…

What words of advice would you give to competitors in next year's Challenge?

Practice your variation 'til you can do it perfectly nearly every time. Watch YouTube with different dancers doing the variation you have chosen. Also be careful what you put in your Bio if you are selected, I didn't realise mine would be read in front of such a large audience!

Where do you think you will go from here? What are your goals for the future? How do you aim to achieve these?

I aim to compete in the Youth American Grand Prix in New York in April 08. Audition whilst there and hopefully gets a place in ABT or New York City Ballet School. My ambition is to be a principal dancer in a prominent Ballet Company.

What inspired you to start dancing? What inspires you to work so hard at it today?

It helped having a good teacher who inspired me and encouraged me a lot to push myself a bit harder. Today, I push myself, and my fellow teachers encourage me to fulfil my dreams.

Who is your favourite dancer? How do they inspire you?

Ethan Steifel, Sylvie Guillem and Angel Corella. I think they are the most outstanding dancers in the industry. When I watch them perform they make me want to dance even more so that one day, maybe, I can be as good as them.

If you could dance anywhere in the world, where it would it be and for who?

I would love to dance for the American Ballet Theatre in New York.