Dancing her way to success

Dunsborough's Lisa Viola has hit the big time after making a bold step into the Sydney spotlight.

Viola, who runs local dance school Viola Entertainment, is rubbing shoulders with some of the country’s best known and has featured in performances on television talent show The X Factor.

Viola said making the trip on the back of a “few contacts” had paid off and she was enjoying networking with the “cream of the crop” of the Sydney dance community including choreographers from television show So You Think You Can Dance?

“I’m working with these people who are amazing dancers, it’s quite amazing and everything is looking at me going “how did she get in?” she said.

Viola said her visit was inspired by casting agents for Hairspray The Musical who encouraged her to make the trip when she made the final few in auditions and she has since extended her visit beyond the three months she intended to stay.

The dancer’s singing abilities have also gained Viola recognition and earned her a place in eight piece group Taboo Crew which she said was working towards a recording contract in December.

Viola said she hoped to inspire other budding dancers to pursue their dreams and she had already had visits from two of her 15-year-old dance students who had taken part in intensive dance workshops in styles including jazz and hip-hop.

“They loved it, they were totally inspired,” she said.

The dancer will return to Dunsborough but would “ride the wave until it dries up” in Sydney.