From the school hall stage to an audience at the Seymour Centre, Owen Sloggett is making great leaps in the dance arena.
The Engadine High School graduate who finished his HSC in 2018, impressed at the annual Callback showcase, which presented the best year 12 dance students this month.
Owen, 18, of Yarrawarrah, was selected for the highly competitive dance exhibition from thousands of students from across NSW.
His performance titled Out of Reach drew inspiration from his final year of school.
"It was a tense year, so dancing was like a release of all those emotions," he said.
"The dance was about the desire to reach goals through determination and get through the struggle."
Owen was one of four dancers - and the only male - in his class last year.
He dances at Ev & Bow dance school, Kirrawee, and recalls being mesmerised at the world of movement as a seven-year-old child, being inspired by the hit musical Wicked.
The dynamic, contemporary dancer hopes to break into a full-time career in dance.
"I just want to refine my techinque to prepare for a career in performing arts," Owen said.
"It would be pretty cool to end up in a production but I just want to enjoy performing."
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) chief executive, David de Carvalho, says this year’s students selected for a showcase performance should be proud of their efforts.
“Selection for a HSC showcase is an outstanding achievement reflecting the dedication and determination of students, their teachers and parents in developing creative talent," he said.
“The HSC has a strong history of nurturing creative and design talent, with many students going on to enjoy wonderful careers."
