Talia Fowler

It has been an exciting, award-winning period for the Queensland dance scene, with a number of up-and-coming dancers and a regional favourite recognised.

Two of the four 2009 So You Think You Can Dance finalists were from Queensland, with a Brisbane local taking the title at the grand final for the second consecutive year.

Former Queensland Ballet dancer Talia Fowler was the winner and the Gold Coast's Ben Veitch a deserving finalist in an entertaining year of the Channel Ten program. The Grand Final show featured a considerable Queensland presence with several Queensland Ballet dancers and TaikOz drummers performing in a stunning contemporary routine choreographed by Queensland Ballet Artistic Director François Klaus

Townsville's Dancenorth ensemble was recently awarded the prestigious Green Room Award for Best Dance Ensemble for their work in Underground. They were up against strong competition for award, with other nominees including ensembles from the Australian Ballet Company, Lucy Guerin Inc, Chunky Move and Shelley Lasica.

Other Green Room Award winners include Peter Darling for Choreography in a Musical in Billy Elliot the Musical, Marc Cassidy for his performance in A Suite of Dances (The Australian Ballet) and Sarah-Jayne Howard for her performance in Inuk 2 (Sydney Dance Company).

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