Dancer brings tips from the world

28th July 2008

Students practise with guest teacher and international dancer Grant McLay (centre).

AS reality television show So You Think You Can Dance lifts the profile of dancing with the general public, international dancer Grant McLay was making some fans of his own in Rockhampton yesterday.

About 30 students from Dance Star Studio picked up some new techniques during a two-day workshop with Mr McLay, who had just completed a dance tour in China.

Senior dancer Lillian Hare said it was a great opportunity to expand her dancing knowledge and enjoy learning "interesting moves".

The 19-year-old, who has been dancing for 12 years, is also a self-confessed lover of So You Think You Can Dance. She said she enjoys seeing so much creative dance.

Lillian said she loved dancing herself because it was a great way to keep fit and exercise with friends.

Mr McLay said the Rockhampton dancers were a great bunch of students and he enjoyed his guest role.

"I usually only teach at university or with companies," he said.

"I've only done a few workshops with young students but it's something I have an interest in."

Mr McLay, who is based in Ireland with the Rex Levitates Dance Company, said dancing for him was all about students getting to learn different skills and moving their bodies in a way that was not like their normal structure.

He is also no stranger to the Central Queensland area, having grown up in Mackay and visiting his brother who lives at Zilzie.

Mr McLay yesterday said he had seen So You Think You Can Dance a few times but believed it showcased some of the world's best dancers in many genres.

"It's definitely broadened the general public's view of dance," he said. "You couldn't help but be excited when watching it because they make it look so easy."

Owner of Dance Star Studio, Natasha Williams, said Mr McLay was also teaching her senior students a new creative movement dance.

Dance Star Studio has been in Rockhampton for eight years now and teaches about 170 students from two years to adults.