Paris pointes to dance dream

AT just the age of 20, dancing has given Paris Hodson more life experience than most her age.
She has had to deal with rejection, travelled the world while most her age were still at school and had achievements some could only dream of.
And all of it, both the highs and lows, have given the young Pakenham resident the determination to break into one of the toughest employment industries in the world.
With loads of talent, a place in one of Melbourne’s leading dance companies and the right attitude, the versatile ballet dancer may have what it takes to burst onto the world stage, but for now she is happy just taking it all as it comes.
Paris started dancing at Freelance Dance in Pakenham when she was eight because her best friend wanted her to. Paris said it was not realised until later on down the track that she had a natural talent that could take her far in the performing arts.
A few years later her teacher at Freelance Dance told her to start looking at other options, as she had almost outgrown what she could teach her.
After completing her primary schooling at Nar Nar Goon Primary, Paris moved onto Beaconhills College.
She was only there for a year however as she tried out for the Victorian College of Arts (VCA) in Year 8 and was accepted straight away. For the two years following her acceptance she completed half dance studies and half academic studies at the VCA.
She stepped up her dance training when she was accepted into full-time ballet, six days a week, at City Dance Centre in Armadale.
It was the next stage in her professional dance training however which saw Paris move interstate and travel to Europe.
She was accepted into Australia’s leading selective dance academy for the highly talented and dedicated, the Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy, Sydney.
Before long she jetsetted overseas with the school to try and break into a company there.
Paris said the tour was in winter and they went to London, Amsterdam, Austria, Switzerland and eight cities in Germany.
“This tour was intense with an audition for a finishing school in ballet every day or second day,” she said.
While she was touring Europe one of Paris’s greatest inspirations in the dance world sadly passed away. It was one her teachers at Tanya Pearson, a Russian born dancer named Rita.
“She really inspired me to dance using facial expressions and emotions,” she said.
“I will always think of her though when character dancing.”
On the return of her European tour in 2007 she was offered a soloist position with a Melbourne based dance company, Melbourne Dance Theatre.
Since being there she has played the principal roles in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Adam and Eve and most recently Swan Lake. Her commitment can be anything from six days a week, when rehearsing for a show, down to three days.
Her versatile technique has even inspired company director Martin Sierra to create many contemporary roles for her. She went on her second overseas tour with the company last year.
“My second overseas tour was with a company so the whole thing was very relaxed in the European summer and so much fun.
“We performed in many different towns of Austria, Slovakia and Poland. We got a week off to do what we pleased after doing a month of sometimes three shows a day. I came back from the tour with a great tan.”
Despite leading a different life to the average teenager, Paris said she was adamant that she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I didn’t go to a normal high school so that alone has shaped the way I am,” Paris said.
“I was very focused at a young age with what I was going to do with my life and have worked very hard to get where I am.
“On the weekends when other teenagers where going to parties, I was at home catching up on homework or sleeping because I was so tired from my six days a week schooling.
“I’m always very busy, I like it that I get bored when I don’t have things to do. But I do get holidays so that’s when I can catch up with everyone I need to.”
Since starting her professional training at the VCA, Paris has not had much of a break from her career other than when she has faced injuries.
She has been out of action for a combined total of about one year after tearing her hamstring on three occasions and suffering badly from shin splints.
Paris said that despite having to take time off, the schools were all very understanding.
“The workload is pretty intense and we are at a stage when are bodies are growing and still developing, so naturally you are going to suffer some injuries,” she said.
While trying to break into the cut-throat industry, injuries have not been the only set back for the young performer.
“When you audition for things you really put yourself out there,” she said.
“I was accepted into Tokyo Disney and was set up to go over to Japan, but then they went into recession and all the contracts were cut.
“I was upset but couldn’t do anything about it so I just found a new thing to do for the rest of the year.”
At this stage in her life Paris said she is unsure of what the future holds for her and can only aim to keep progressing.
“I’m always auditioning and looking for different things, so I never know where I will be next year,” she said.
“I’m hoping to get into a classical ballet company but if not I’m happy where I am now with Melbourne Dance Theatre.
“I have a whole lot of auditions lined up but what they are looking for isn’t always based on your talent. It can all come down to having the wrong colour hair.”