Young star bags awards

By Lia Bichel
MARSHERE Dance Studio has produced a rising star in Cranbourne North’s James Quigley.
The seventeen-year-old has only been dancing for three years and has already won the Most Improved dancer at MarShere Dance Studio’s Aurora Awards, and this year, was nominated for a Gold Achiever award.
The awards are held to recognise excellence in dance among members of 13 MarShere Dance Studios.
James compared the excitement of the event to the Logies.
“It feels pretty good to be nominated,” he said. “It was unexpected.”
The ballroom dancer said he started dancing when some friends asked him to join them at the MarShere Dance Studio. James said he enjoyed the experience, so he continued to attend.
He now dances four days a week and teaches dance to beginners and adults while juggling his Year 11 studies at Lyndhurst Secondary College.
On the weekend, James received a Gold Medal for his dancing performances at the MarShere Dance Studio’s Cabaret awards.
He performed a ballroom dance, the Tango and Latin dance, the Samba with his instructor of ten months, Tatyana Ostatovich.
“He has improved so much in the past 10 months that he has exceeded all my expectations,” Ms Ostatovich said.
“He’s passionate and driven. I think he will continue and will excel in competitions.”
But for now, although he loves dancing, James said he would concentrate on finishing school.
“School work is my priority, but dancing is a lot of fun,” he said.
“I don’t know what I am going to do after I am done school, but I am sure I’ll continue dancing on the side.”