Entertainment
27 August, 2026
Big results by small studio
A SMALL Cassowary Coast dance studio is making a big name for itself, with young performers from Pretty Things Dance Studio delivering an exceptional run of results at competitions and eisteddfods across North Queensland from championship titles to platinum medals and back-to-back troupe victories.
The studios under-eight dance troupe have enjoyed a dream debut season, taking first place at the Carnival and Time to Shine dance competitions.
The undefeated troupe features dancers aged five to seven, Grace Herrod, Emilia Cooper, Mikayla Leahy, Iluka Murray, Soleil Runghen, Remi Sedgman, Saige Smith, Ochre Budd, Layla Flegler and Matilda Rohl whose teamwork and enthusiasm have earned them consecutive wins in their very first year on stage.
Their success continued as the troupe competed in the Cassowary Coast Talent Quest junior division final earlier this month after a successful audition where they took out the people’s choice award for their Mermaid Party jazz dance performance.
Chelsea Mohr, 11, has also shone this season, placing second in jazz and earning a highly commended for her choreography at the Carnival dance competition. At Time to Shine, she received a diamond award for her jazz solo and an emerald award for her choreography.
Shekinah Goddard, aged 17, reached a major milestone after being accepted into two of Australia’s leading full-time dance institutions – Brent Street in Sydney and Dynamite Studios on the Gold Coast. She has accepted a place at Dynamite Studios for 2027.
Isla Herrod, 14, has enjoyed one of the studio’s most remarkable seasons, earning top placings across multiple competitions.
At the Innisfail dance competition, Isla won first in contemporary and second in lyrical and teamed with Shekinah Goddard to place second in duo. At the Cairns dance competition, she again claimed first in contemporary, with highly commended awards in lyrical and jazz.
Her momentum continued at the Carnival dance competition, placing second in contemporary and third in lyrical, before winning the championship title with her contemporary solo and receiving the most outstanding entertainer award.
At Time to Shine, Isla was the only dancer in the 13-16 senior division to earn platinum medals for both jazz and contemporary, scoring between 93 and 96. She also received a double diamond for her lyrical solo.
She finished the competition with an extraordinary list of major awards: 14 years championship, judge’s choice award, most promising dancer award, and the ultimate senior dancer award, after achieving the two highest scoring senior solos of the entire competition.
The studio wrapped up its season at Light Up the Stage in Cairns this month, with Isla Herrod, Chelsea Mohr and the undefeated under-eight troupe again representing Pretty Things Dance Studio.
Founded in 2025, Pretty Things Dance Studio in Tully is committed to nurturing young dancers, helping local children grow in confidence, build friendships and reach their full potential. The teaching team supports dancers from their very first class through to state level competitors, proudly representing the Cassowary Coast throughout Queensland.
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