Congratulations to our Yr12 graduates 2023

We are so unbelievably proud of each of our incredible Year 12 Graduates this year, they are all delightful, hard working, dedicated and talented dancers who completely embody our JOKSOD values and spirit. We are all so lucky as a JOKSOD community to have experienced the growth of all of these beautiful dancers over the years and now we prepare to wish them well on the next steps of their journeys. 

Some are continuing their dance journeys in tertiary education and others will continue to attend classes at JOKSOD next year, whatever path they choose to pursue they will always be such treasured members of our JOKSOD family. 

Introducing our JOKSOD Graduates of 2023......

Michaela Davidson

 

 

 

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our Michaela Davidson has been accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance (level 6) AND also The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) for 2024. Wow! She is in the fortunate position of having a big decision to make. We are so proud and excited for you Michaela.

Michaela is a member of our JEP - JOKSOD Extension Program Classical along with committing to all classes she possibly do to improve her technique and artistry. She recently was successful in completing her Advanced 2 Cecchetti which is an extremely hard exam and has been successful at eisteddfods where she has won many prizes including in Championships.

Michaela is a quiet achiever, always conscientious, dedicated, committed and hardworking. She has been a wonderful student helper this year with our junior contemporary class. 

Michaela is such a special part of our studio life and it is always a pleasure to have her around. You will be so missed Michaela however go spread your wings - we are excited to follow your journey and for your visits back to JOKSOD.

Love Miss Jo x

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"I've been dancing at JOKSOD for 5 years but it honestly feels like a lifetime. The connections I've made at the studio are memories I will cherish forever and I'm so grateful to have been apart of this special community that has provided me with so much. The moment I stepped into the JOKSOD doors I felt so comfortable and welcomed by positive and energetic girls who I now call my friends. Over my years at JOKSOD I have not only gained knowledge about being a better dancer but also being a better person. The teachers are inspiring and motivate me to work harder to achieve my goals in each class. The environment at JOKSOD is like no other and every time I step into the studio doors I feel safe and welcomed. The friendships I have made along the way from our youngest superstars to my fellow graduating girls of 2023, I have enjoyed every single moment. Next year, I am still currently deciding on which course I will be pursuing in 2024. I have been accepted into the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). This course has a duration of 3 years and I am grateful to have the opportunity to take on the new adventures that this renowned course has to offer. I have also been accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance Diploma (Level 6), where I am able to extend my dance training and learn more about choreography and dance as a craft. In the future I am hoping to continue my love of teaching and inspiring students. Teaching and choreography are careers I have always dreamt of pursuing and hopefully encourage and motivate the next generation of dancers."

~ Michaela Davidson

Ava McSweeney

Ava is such a special part of our JOKSOD Community with her happy and vibrant personality she just brightens every class and every room she enters. 

She is always the first to put her hand up to help out with anything that is needed and always gives 100% every class. She has such a beautiful innate quality within contemporary, lyrival and neo classical dance and knows how to put individual choreography into her body to make it hers. 

She is so  loved by all students and teachers. She has a beautiful nurturing nature which is evident by how excited our juniors are when she is around.

Her mum and dad are also such a great support to JOKSOD and are always helping in any way they can.

I hope we will see Ava in classes next year and around the studio and we wish her all the very best in her future endevors.

Keep dreaming, believing and achieving gorgeous one.

Love Miss Jo x

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"I have been privileged to be a part of this amazing school for the last 8 years. What I have gained most from joining JOKSOD is the beautiful sense of what it means to be part of a team, and the friends that become like family along the way. In my experience, nothing comes close to the bond of a dance team and there is something so special about the connection that is created between all of us in the studio. The laughter and the tears, the highs and the lows - we go through it all together. I have always enjoyed dancing as part of our competition team and I absolutely love working towards our end of year concert - the energy at the studio in term 4 is the best! Almost all of my most favourite memories come from the moments spent side stage. The quiet before a solo or the crazy in between concert dances with a 30 second quick change! JOKSOD has been a second home to me from the moment I moved. I love our dance family, from our littlest stars through to my fellow year 12’s and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else. JOKSOD has taught me so much more than just how to dance and I know that all of my amazing teachers have shaped me into the person I am today. Next year I am going on to study early childhood education in hope to one day open my own childcare centre - and dance and movement are definitely on the curriculum!"

~ Ava McSweeney

Alyssa Brooke

Congratulations to Alyssa Brooke who has been offered a place SCIMM DANCE PRE-PROFESSIONAL FULLTIME  for 2024.

We are so proud of you Lyss and always knew your hard work and perseverance through all the hard times would pay off.

Lyss has been a dancer at JOKSOD since she has been 4 years old and it has been a privilege to watch her mature into the beautiful respectful, well mannered, hardworking, humble young lady she is today.

Lyss has always been a dancer that would do every class and take every opportunity to help her grow and improve. She has been a part of our JOKSOD Extension program for many years and has completed every Cecchetti exam including the extremely difficult advanced 2 this year whilst doing her yr 12. 

She has always put up her hand to help around the studio and has been such a wonderful student helper gaining so many valuable skills in teaching along the way. 

We hope that Lyss will be back often and she will be so dearly missed.

Lyss encompasses all of our JOKSOD values of Dedication, Artistry, Love of dance and works so hard in everything she does. She is such a true JOKSODian and this makes me so personally so proud.

We wish you nothing but happiness always Lyss and you will always be a special part of our JOKSOD history.  

Love Miss Jo x

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'I am so lucky to have been a part of Joanne O’Kelly School of Dance for 14 years now, and I can not remember a time in my life where I wasn’t at this place that I am honoured to call my second home. I have been dancing at JOKSOD since I was only 4 years old, enabling me to gain so many important life skills from my teachers and peers, it has been a privilege to learn under the most amazing teachers. I have always looked up to the older kids at dancing and now it is incredible to believe that I might be one of the older kids that the younger ones look up to. At JOKSOD I have enjoyed all the opportunities I have been given and being able to share them all with the people I love most. Next year I plan on continuing my dance journey by exploring full time contemporary dance at Scimm. Dance Pre-professional full time course. I am so grateful for this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of everyone at JOKSOD. My future goals are to just keep dancing and to follow wherever this path takes me. I am proud to be able to call everyone at JOKSOD my family.'

~ Alyssa Brooke

Georgia Sullivan

Congratulations to Georgia Sullivan who has been accepted into VCA - The Victorian College of The Arts, Tertiary to study a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and also to SCIMM Pre professional full time dance course. Wow! Georgia has now a very big decision to make.

Georgia works hard in every class she attends and is always a beautiful girl to have around the studio. She is always respectful of all teachers and fellow dancers and we are going to miss her contagious smile. We wish you continued success and happiness Georgia and may JOKSOD always hold a special place in your heart. 

Love Miss Jo x

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'I have been at JOKSOD for 5 years and I have enjoyed every moment of my time here. The friendships I have created are relationships that I will cherish forever, JOKSOD’s nourishing environment has allowed me to feel connected and comfortable within the dance community. Across my time here at JOKSOD I have gained so much knowledge and experience from the passionate teachers allowing me to grow as a dancer and person giving me 100% confidence in discovering self expression through dance. JOKSOD has been a place where I can come and forget my worries and truly immerse myself in the special environment that it is, whilst knowing I am fully supported by everyone around me. Next year I am lucky enough to be able to continue my dance journey. I have fortunately been accepted into SCIMM Dance pre professional program as well as the Victorian College of the Arts Bachelor of Arts (dance) program for 2024 in which I am still making my decision. I am confident in knowing that JOKSOD has prepared me thoroughly for this future and I am so grateful for everything that I have gained and learnt.'

~ Georgia Sullivan

Sophie Loft

Sophie has been a beautiful member of our JOKSOD Family for over 8 years. Sophie is a quiet achiever and has such sincere artistry and compassion. She is a student that you love to have in any class, She is hardworking and committed and a genuinely beautiful girl.

We congratulate Sophie on being offered a position on Transit Dance, Full Time dance course for 2024. Sophie has decided to take up other interests and go to Uni next year and also continue classes at JOKSOD.

We wish you all the very best with your future endeavours Soph and know that where ever you go you are going to be loved by all. Just be your beautiful self.

Love Miss Jo x

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'I am deeply honoured to have had the blessing of calling JOKSOD my second home for 8 years, having the privilege of learning valuable skills and life lessons from my amazing teachers and peers that I will cherish and take with me forever. I am grateful for every second that I got to spend in in the studio as I was able to perform and do the thing I love most. Even though I am sad (and a little nervous) to be leaving behind my JOKSOD family, I am beyond excited and thrilled to be able to watch and cheer on my yr 12 friends and all the other “joksodians” while they work towards and achieve all of their goals. I have been accepted into Transit Dance, full time in 2024 however I have  decided to go to University in 2024 and continue classes at JOKSOD.'

~ Sophie Loft

Lucinda Curry

A big Congratulations to Lucinda Curry who has been accepted into Patricks School of the Arts for Full time Dance training in 2024.

Luci is our little pocket rocket! Such a careful listener and such a hardworker who is also so respectful of all her teachers and fellow dancers. She is so passionate about dance and this shows in every move she makes.

Luci has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years and we are so excited to see where next year takes you as your dance journey continues.

So proud of you Luci and we will all going to miss you so much! 

Love Miss Jo x

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"My journey at JOKSOD started later than most, and I felt so welcomed straight away by Miss Jo to join such a hard working studio that pushed me and supported me to strive for my best. I’ve really enjoyed my experience at JOKSOD having the opportunity to learn from a group of very talented teachers and fellow peers around me, that have helped me to reach my goals. JOKSOD has taught me many valuable skills which have helped me develop both as a dancer and a person - I will always be extremely grateful. Next year I plan on continuing my dance journey moving onto full time dance at Patrick’s School of the Arts in which I’m very excited about. I’m very proud to be apart of JOKSOD, which has become a family and my second home."

~Luci Curry

Monique Movando

Monique has been part of our JOKSOD family for the last 15 years. Growing up into the beautiful young lady she is today in front of our eyes. Monique has always been considerate and caring of others and a fabulous team member, we've loved having her part of our JOKSOD family. 

We hope to see Monique back in the studio next year whilst she is studying engineering and science at Uni. We congratulate you Monique for 15 Fabulous Years at JOKSOD and hope it will always hold a special place in your heart! 

Love Miss Jo x

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"It's been 15 years since I started at JOKSOD, from when I was 3 years old to now having graduated high school. I've grown up in this studio and I wouldn't the person I am today without it. I've learnt so much about dance, myself and life and I am truely grateful for everything over the last 15 years. I appreciate all these wonderful dancers and teachers and crazy adventures we've gone on. I'm very grateful for the time I've had here at JOKSOD and whist my time may have now come to an end, I will never forgot all that I have been taught, and will cherish these memories forever."

~ Monique Movando

We wish all our beautiful year 12 JOKSOD Graduates a wonderfully bright future and we hope that their foundation of dance education at JOKSOD has provided them with the skills and experiences to reach their dreams. 

Keep dreaming, keep believing and keep achieving to you all! We can't wait to continue to follow your journeys!