Name: Tara O'Donnell
Age: 20
Favourite movie:
I'm not really a movie person (hence the long list of favourite TV shows)
Favourite TV show:
Pretty Little Liars, Dance Moms, Grey's Anatomy, Hannah Montana, The Mick, Bunheads and every true crime show
Favourite musician:
Miley Cyrus, Daughter, MO and Sleeping At Last
Favourite colour:
Pink
Favourite dance style:
Contemporary
Smooth or crunchy?
Crunchy
Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Bairnsdale, Victoria and lived there until I was nine. I then moved to the Kilmore/Lancefield area from age nine to 16, when I moved to Geelong and later Torquay.
How did you get into dancing and/or performing?
As a child I loved dancing and performing. At age 5 my mum put me into dance classes after I went to my best friends dance concert - I could barely stay sitting down as I wanted to join in!
What's your favourite/best performance you've been involved in? Any other highlights?
The first time I worked with Xavier McGettigan was when he taught my VCE Dance learnt group 'Run.' To this day it is my favourite routine I've had the chance to perform and really introduced me to his style of contemporary dance. My love of his choreography lead me to join Impetus Dance Theatre to take regular classes with him, where I have been very lucky to perform many awesome pieces from a range of choreographers.
What's your experience with Attitude been like in the past?
I loved being a part of the original SIGNIFICANCE season with Attitude Dance Company in 2016 that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to return this season. It has been amazing to work with Xavier and the cast of both seasons to create such moving and creative pieces. I've loved being pushed out of my comfort zone and working hard to show the story behind the routines.
Where have you studied?
I was originally trained in tap and contemporary ballet from age 5 to 9 at Mrs Dawkins School of Dance in Bairnsdale. After moving to Kilmore, I received training in Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap and Hip Hop from Rhiannons Performing Arts from ages 9 to 13.
I then decided to move to Dance Station in Romsey for more in depth training in Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. I was part of the Senior Performance Troupe and competed in dance competitions around Melbourne. After moving to Geelong I first joined Infinite Dance Studios, taking classes in Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet. I am now in Senior Company at Impetus Dance Theatre, with a focus on Contemporary and Commercial dance.
What do you do for work?
I work as a Barista/Front Of House all-rounder at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery in Bellbrae!
What are your interests outside of dance?
I love spending time with my family and friends, walking my puppy along the beach, reading, going to gigs and festivals and travelling.
What inspires you?
I love watching international dance competitions online and follow many dance studios and choreographers from the USA in particular. I find a lot of inspiration in the changing dance scene and enjoy following the latest trends in choreography. I am very excited to have the opportunity to see my favourite professional dance company, Shaping Sound, live in Las Vegas this June as their quality of movement and amazing careers are something I hope to achieve, not just in dance but in my everyday life.
Tell us some fun facts about you:
I'm left handed
I'm obsessed with big thrill rides
I can say the alphabet backwards in under 10 seconds
When I was 9, my snail won my school's Melbourne Cup snail race
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