Hollabak are (from left to right): Bonnie Su, Delaney Wheeler, Kirby Boon, Arna Singleton, Melissa Tarquinio, Emma Mowatt (Portland, 17), and Sheridan McCarthy (Warrnambool, 20).
TWO south-west dancers have taken their passion to a national level with a new television program which aired on Channel Ten last night.
Warrnambool’s Sheridan McCarthy, 20, and Portland’s Emma Mowatt, 17, will compete on Everybody Dance Now as part of Melbourne-based all-girl hip hop crew Hollabak.
American singer-songwriter and dancer Jason Derulo chose the team from a three-act line-up including a contortionist and a couple during a second-round audition in Sydney last month.
McCarthy and Mowatt said they and fellow dancers Arna Singleton, Melissa Tarquinio, Kirby Boon, Bonnie Su and Delaney Wheeler were looking forward to proving their competitiveness with the male hip hop groups who dominated the dance style at the auditions.
“We were the only all-girl crew there,” McCarthy said.
“We’re really excited … we want to show Australia what we represent.”
McCarthy said the intensive audition process was a change from dancing in competitions and “showcasing” at public events in Melbourne.
“It was such a good experience,” she said. “I saw styles of dance up there I’ve never seen before.
“We always try to take opportunities like these when they come up.”
Mowatt, who is trained in ballet, tap and jazz and had McCarthy as a hip hop teacher prior to joining Hollabak, said the experience had so far been “mind-blowing”.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” she said.
The year 11 Bayview College student said the crew had been training up to five hours a day and up to five days a week to refine their style and increase their chances of success in “Team Jason”.
“It’s very hectic at the moment,” she said.
“But it’s not a have to do, we want to do this. I want to be dancing for the rest of my life … (so) I’m hoping to learn from all of it.”
Mowatt said her hometown would be voting for Hollabak on the show and encouraged other south-west residents to do the same.
Everybody Dance Now will also screen tonight and tomorrow night.
bziegeler@standard.fairfax.com.au