The Grey Panthers have selected three young dancers from the Northern Territory to attend the Australian Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) in Melbourne as part of the Grey Panther Youth Development Fund initiative.

Through the Panthers’ ongoing generosity and commitment, the fund has grown in size and scope since it’s humble beginnings in 2017, when the group began putting aside spare change to give young dancers a helping hand. 

This year the group decided to support 3 exceptional young dancers from the NT to travel down for the Festival where they would be immersed in workshops, classes, performances, discussions and networking with young dancers and their leaders from across the country and internationally.

Successful applicants Drew Holloway, Taylah Anderson and Leah Cato all expressed that dance is an integral aspect of their lives and future aspirations, and the Grey Panthers were impressed with their dedication to dance in their communities. Drew and Taylah will be travelling to the Festival from Darwin, and Leah from Alice Springs.

Taylah said in her application video, “I can’t help but dance, so to be with other people like that and to learn so many different techniques and ways to do it would just be so eye opening. It will benefit me to improve my skills from now where I want to take my dancing from a hobby into a career.”

On their return from the Festival, Drew, Taylah and Leah shared their experiences with the Grey Panthers, reflecting on the fun, challenging, diverse and collaborative ways in which they engaged with dance across the five days. They also enjoyed dancing alongside and connecting with young dancers of all backgrounds. 

"Experiencing such a diverse group of talented, friendly, kind hearted and inspiring people and being able to learn along side them in workshops is probably the one thing I’ll remember forever." - Drew Holloway

"The Australian Youth Dance Festival was a life changing experience for me as a dancer and as a person. I loved being around other people with the same mindset; to learn dance, to meet new people and enjoy themselves. I have made so many new friends and contacts with choreographers from all over the world, as well as extended my dance vocabulary and technique". - Taylah Anderson 

"I found the AYDF provided a supportive learning environment, where the teachers and mentors were friendly and fun. I loved the dynamic array of different contemporary dance styles. The AYDF gave me confidence to express my own creativity and share new ideas with a diversity of people. I made great friends and would happily do it again." - Leah Cato