Local dancer competes with the best at the American Dance Competition
Seventeen-year-old Concord West resident BJ Rorke has competed with the best dancers from all around the world at the National Rainbow Dance Competition, which was held in Las Vegas, United States in mid-July, and achieved the highest level of scoring.

BJ was invited to compete at the U.S. Competition after winning the Australian ‘Dancer of the Year’ competition last March. He competed in the Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary sections against hundreds of talented dancers and his performance earnt him a top ten placement. He was also chosen as a guest act on the finals night - performing one of his solo dances and handing out awards.

BJ said it was the first overseas trip and he was very excited about it.

“I was extremely nervous but excited to see the style of dance in America as it is very different,” he said.

One of the highlights of his trip was to attend two of the top performing arts schools in Los Angeles, ‘The Edge’ and ‘Millennium’.

“I learnt so much about the Americans and how they train. The studios were smaller but the atmosphere was great. Everyone was really going for it. I had the chance to meet some artists at ‘Millennium’ studios,” BJ said.

“I also went to Celine Dion’s show which was amazing. The dancers and choreography were breathtaking. I would like to dance in a big show like this or in musicals,” he said.

BJ’s talent certainly comes from all his hard work. The same day he returned from the United States, BJ was rehearsing at Brent Street Studios with his group ‘RAPT’ who was invited to perform at the finals of a Hip Hop Championship.

BJ is currently doing his HSC trials at Brent St Talent Development High School, but still finds the time to practice and perform for different shows.

“It’s hard and at times stressful to find time for practice, HSC and shows, but I love doing what I do so it makes it a lot easier. I have the support of my family and friends as well, which is important.

BJ’s group ‘Rapt’ won the Australian Dance Idol Hip Hop division in 2005 and regularly perform at the ‘Crush’ under 18's dance parties as well as ‘Industry,’ a bi-monthly event held at Fox Studios. Last year Rapt were the main act at the launch of Britney Spears new perfume range in Sydney. They are currently in the process of recording some of their own tracks for future release.

In the last year, BJ has won the Jazz Solo section of the McDonalds ‘City of Sydney’ Performing Arts Challenge and the Jazz Championship, Jazz Scholarship and Dance Bursary at the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod. BJ is also a support dancer for Nikki Webster when she performs on tour.

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Release for Pro-tech by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations.
For more information contact Kim Larochelle or
Aleks Czerwinski on (02) 9413 4244.