Dancer sees childhood dream come to fruition

CREATIVE FORCE: Dancer Holly Gibellini-Davis, 22, is back in Nelson for a short time and will be taking a hip-hop jazz dance workshop this weekend. Photo: MARION VAN DIJK

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Holly Gibellini-Davis was only 12 years old when she wrote down where she would be in five years.

"I want to be dancing in Los Angeles."

Everyone said it could not be done. However, the day after her 21st birthday, Holly was on a flight to the entertainment capital of the world ready to ply her trade.

Now 22, if the Nelsonian had another school project she would write down a different goal.

"To dance for Janet Jackson."

Ms Gibellini-Davis left Nelson College for Girls at 16 and went to Auckland and then Melbourne to study performing arts. In the last year she has been to Sydney, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. She has worked for companies like Nike, Sony and Disney.

"Dancing has always been a part of me since I was about three years old. I think it always will be."

She has been back in Nelson catching up with friends and family and is holding a dance workshop this weekend. "My eyes have been opened to so many things. I'm just eager to share it and show people what I have seen and what I have loved."

Though Ms Gibellini-Davis has trained in a variety of different dancing styles she has settled on urban hip-hop. She was even part of a promotion for the new movie Step-Up 3D.

She had her own dance movie experience recently in New York where she and a group of Sydney-based friends entered the World of Dance competition.

They were the only international contestants there.

"We didn't expect anything, we just went to have lots of fun."

But after bringing the three-tier theatre crowd to its feet with their performance Pysde Project came away with the win.

"It was just insane. All the other contestants were giving us some pretty weird looks."

It has been hard work. When she was living in Los Angeles Ms Gibellini-Davis would train from 2pm to 11pm six days a week.

"It's just training and training and working constantly at the studio. When you are home you are trying to find new music and work on your look and physicality along with staying in shape and being an artist all at the same time."

The lucky thing is to have a family that has been so supportive especially when she left home at such a young age.

"But they knew there was no stopping me. They know this is what makes me happy."

Her dream gig used to be dancing for Michael Jackson. Janet was always second. Now, however, she is No1.

"There is something about her work, there is so much heart and soul and passion."

If there is one thing Ms Gibellini-Davis has learned it is to believe in your dream.

"The more I learned that if you really want something the only thing stopping you is you. So you have to just go for it."

To register for her workshop visit her Facebook page and search Holly Gibellini-Davis.

- © Fairfax NZ News