Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
MJ Dance student Ryan Thompson will enter the spotlight in the coming weeks as he leaps into a dance career at Melbourne’s Patrick Studios Australia.
Receiving a rare three-year scholarship with the renowned dance studio was something Ryan only ever dreamed about.
“Todd, the owner of Patrick, contacted us first asking if I was willing to audition for the opportunity,” Ryan said.
“I did not have anything planned so I was ready to jump at anything I could get.
“I auditioned and within a month or so I received a phone call about the good news.”
The scholarship will allow Ryan to not only pursue dance, but also receive further qualifications in the process.
“I will be able to complete a diploma in performing arts through the University of Swinburne,” Ryan said.
“Looking at Patrick, it is one of the places in Australia that is actually going out and getting students
work.
“It is like having an agent and their main object is to try and get you work as well.”
Ryan said he was excited to work with choreographer Andy Helensworth.
“Andy is basically the choreographer for almost everything,” Ryan said.
“I will be able to work on technique and grow as a dancer.
“I have already made life-long friends on my journey so I cannot wait to make more.”
Ryan’s dance career started nine years ago when undertaking dance lessons with his inspiration Euan Doidge.
“I started fun hip hop at MJ Dance with Euan Doidge and Symeko at the Main Corner,” he said.
“They taught me for about a year before I was asked by MJ Dance studio director Maria Slape to participate in the competition classes.
“It firstly shook me a little bit and I was not really prepared to do that, but I gave it a shot.”
Ryan has taught fun hip hop classes at MJ for the past three years hoping to inspire other male dancers to follow in his footsteps.
“I have a class of about 15 with a goal of trying to get them to step into jazz, ballet and contemporary,” he said.
“I have got a few of it which is amazing.
“Just seeing them dance and master new tricks makes me so happy.”
After fine-tuning his competition choreography for around a year, Ryan started working on solos.
“I started with a competition in Hamilton and then the Mount Gambier Eisteddfods,” Ryan said.
“For around four years the classes lead to my first showcase nationals held in Queensland.
“My inspiration at the time was previous MJ dancer Sam Malseed who did really well up there.”
As soon as Ryan started competing at a national level he knew he wanted to pursue dance further.
“I saw everyone from the cities dancing at the competition and I knew it was what I wanted to do,” he said.
“I said to myself ‘if I am passionate about this and if I can dance like them, I would be happy in life’.
“I then started working really hard back at home, during the holidays and after school breaks.”
Ryan remembers Ms Slape working with him in the studio, seeing improvement in his craft.
“Maria started working really hard with me in the studio, working on some solos for nationals,” Ryan said.
“Throughout the past three years I started picking up and doing well.
“For the last two years I was fortunate enough to place third for dancer of the year.”
Ryan said some of his dance style was inspired by Michael Jackson.
“He had a strong influence on my style of dance,” he said.
“His uniqueness really inspired me.”
Being a male dancer can have it benefits and disadvantages and Ryan believes he has experienced it all.
“As a male I think there are some sacrifices, especially for my schooling at Tenison Woods College and being located in the country.
“We are all limited on what we can see and how you can evolve as a dancer.”
However, Ryan said male dancers were presented with more opportunities.
“I think being a male dancer is definitely easier than a girl,” he said.
“There is a lot less of us so there is less competition and it is slightly easier in a way to make to the next step.
“There is a high demand for male dancers in the commercial side so that is a goal of mine.”
Ryan has aspirations of becoming a professional within the industry.
“My aim would be to hopefully follow in Euan’s footsteps,” Ryan said.
“I am interested in doing musicals and auditioning for performances right now.
“I have had an amazing time at MJ and cannot wait for what comes next.”
Ryan will compete nationally this month before moving to Melbourne to start his scholarship.
