YDF2025: Life on Mars

23 October, 2025

Don’t miss this non-competitive, inclusive celebration of dance, passion, and storytelling – created and performed by the next generation of local talent.

With over 700 students and 25 schools participating in 2025, Youth Dance Festival encourages a student led approach to dance making, choreography, theatre and film making and provides a shared artistic experience.

In preparation for this year’s festival, dance mentors Debora Di Centa, Olivia Wikner, Jonah Lamond, Sugar Kaye Sañejo Grefaldeo, Mia Rashid and Patricia Hayes Cavanagh, share with us some highlights from their work with the students.

Debora Di Centa by O&J Wikner Photography

DEBORA DI CENTA is a Canberra-based Italo-Australian independent dance artist with training in ballet, contemporary, contact improvisation, physical theatre, and Choreological Studies/Laban Movement Analysis. A graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London, she has collaborated on performances and research across the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the US. Debora teaches, performs, choreographs, and directs in professional and community contexts, working with artists across disciplines. Since 2019, she has been Project Manager, Youth Dance Festival Mentor Leader and Schools Coordinator with Ausdance ACT, where Youth Dance Festival continues to enrich her artistic journey.

Q: What excites you the most about taking part in YDF?

A: Participating in YDF is an excellent opportunity for me to enhance and expand my work as a School Coordinator and Mentor Manager. Through this process, I have the privilege of mentoring younger students and collaborating with the dance artists we engage with as mentors to support the creative process of the dance works presented each year at the Youth Dance Festival. The most exciting part is observing the students’ progress during their creative journey and providing feedback by reviewing their work at various stages. When we come to the theatre, I support them in my role as Rehearsal Director, working alongside our fantastic team. It’s during this time that everything comes together, allowing me to truly appreciate the results of their hard work over the months leading up to the performance days.

As a Mentor Coordinator, I have a special connection with each dance artist. Ausdance ACT provides valuable opportunities for local dance artist to share their knowledge and experience with new generations and is a strong example for those willing to make a career in dance and the performing arts.

Q: What have you learned from the dancers you’ve been mentoring?

A: In my experience working with young dancers and students in schools, I have come to appreciate how the dance medium can articulate their clarity and determination, empowering them throughout the creative process. I have also learned how to offer constructive feedback effectively while allowing their input to resonate. It’s important to observe what gets filtered, processed, and created—or recreated—through their collective ideas, personal experiences, and the current phase of life in which they find themselves. I notice how the world influences and stimulates their bodies and minds. I have learned to create more space for growth, exploration, and trust in the artistic expression of both individual and collective perspectives through the language of dance and the performing arts.

Q: As a dance mentor, how do you stay inspired and continue to grow as both a dancer and a teacher?

A: Being a YDF Mentor and the Mentor Manager is a significant role. Life is a constant learning experience, and I continually seek to expand my knowledge and understanding of myself and the world through art and dance, particularly in the areas of dance and management. I actively participate in courses that promote personal development, covering both technical and managerial aspects of the dance industry and education, as well as their theoretical and historical foundations and the somatic and psychological dimensions of movement and dance. I regularly attend and conduct classes and workshops, along with personal training sessions. Currently, I am graduating in somatic and dance movement therapy to enhance my expertise and broaden my offerings. I believe in the transformative power of dance-art and movement expression, and I am passionate about sharing this with others.

Olivia Wikner by O&J Wikner Photography

OLIVIA WIKNER is a Canberra-based photographer, dancer, choreographer, teacher, arts worker, and mother. She studied dance at WAAPA and Taipei National University of the Arts, later performing with Australian Dance Party in over 20 works. In 2021 she received a Canberra Critics Circle Award for her solo in Symbiosis. Olivia’s first experience with Ausdance ACT was performing in YDF as a student, later returning as Administrator and Project Manager (2015–2019) for Youth Dance Festival and Open Classes Program. She continues to successfully collaborate widely across the arts.

Q: What excites you the most about taking part in YDF?

A: As a participant back in my day with Belconnen High School and Hawker College, YDF holds some great memories for me and some embarrassing (dancing in my pjs to Nikki Webster’s Strawberry Kisses comes to mind). To return as a mentor this year and share my professional experience and my passion for youth dance has been so enjoyable.

Q: What have you learned from the dancers you’ve been mentoring?

A: How strong they are at creating themselves! YDF has always been student led but I feel the quality of choreography has really improved over the years. The schools I’ve visited have been really confident in their choreography and artistic vision which has been wonderful to witness.

Q: As a dance mentor, how do you stay inspired and continue to grow as both a dancer and a teacher?

A: I’m most often inspired by the dancers and students I’m surrounded by. What can I learn from them? And what can they teach me? Not just about dance but sometimes about life and how I view the world. At times, my youngest students at only four years old teach me the most. They have such a wonderfully sunny and positive view about dance and life. They really help fuel my love for dance. And let’s be honest dance is a challenging career pathway. The most important thing to make it and continue to thrive in this industry is to love what you do.

Jonah Lamond by burrows.cbr

JONAH LAMOND is a Canberra-based dancer and choreographer signed to 3WJ+BOY agency (Auckland). Beginning his training at 15, he has developed a passion for hip hop alongside lyrical, jazz funk, and musical theatre. Jonah trained with PLAY – The Dance Agency, leading crews to regional and national titles, and trains with Sydney’s Kookies N Kream, three-time HHI Australia champions and 2025 HHI World medalists. Dedicated to authenticity, he continues to study hip hop foundations. Jonah loves being part of the Ausdance ACT team and is inspired by the creativity of Youth Dance Festival participants.

Q: What excites you the most about taking part in YDF?

A: I’m really excited to witness the next generation of creatives express themselves and experiment on stage. There’s something powerful about young dancers pushing boundaries and discovering their own voices through movement.

Q: What have you learned from the dancers you’ve been mentoring?

A: I’ve learned how committed they are to originality. Every student I’ve worked with this year has made a conscious effort to avoid trending or viral TikTok choreography. They’ve really stepped outside the box, and it’s been inspiring to see how dedicated they are to developing their own unique styles.

Q: As a dance mentor, how do you stay inspired and continue to grow as both a dancer and a teacher?

A: I stay inspired by continuously taking classes and staying connected to my community. Canberra is full of hidden gems—artists and dancers doing incredible work. You just have to know where to look. Supporting and learning from them keeps me motivated and growing.

Sugar Kaye Sañejo Grefaldeo by jveproductions

SUGAR KAYE SAÑEJO GREFALDEO is a Filipino-Australian performer, choreographer, educator, and community organiser. Trained in the Filipino Hip Hop community, she gained international recognition representing the Philippines at the World Supremacy Battlegrounds (silver, 2017) and Domination (Top 4, 2018). Now based in Australia, she continues to expand her practice across contemporary and street styles and is a founding member of Hiraya Performing Artist – Brisbane, promoting Filipino cultural dance. Sugar values the power of dance to connect people and found last year.

Q: What excites you the most about taking part in YDF?

A: What excites me most is the energy and creativity that YDF brings. It’s inspiring to see young dancers express themselves, take risks, and grow. Being part of a community that celebrates passion, and progress reminds me why I love dance.

Q: What have you learned from the dancers you’ve been mentoring?

A: I’ve learned that mentorship goes both ways. These dancers bring fresh ideas, courage, and honesty to their work. They remind me to stay open, take risks, and value growth over perfection.

Q: As a dance mentor, how do you stay inspired and continue to grow as both a dancer and a teacher?

A: I stay inspired by exploring new styles, getting out of comfort zone, collaborating with others, and learning from life. I grow by staying curious, listening deeply, and remembering that teaching is also a form of learning.

Image of Mia Rashid supplied by artist.

MIA RASHID is a Canberra-based contemporary dancer who trained at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Queensland Ballet Academy, Classical Ballet 121, Joffrey School of Dance Chicago, and ADDA Barcelona. Mia has worked with small companies and collectives across Sydney and Canberra and is currently working with the Australian Dance Party (Canberra) for ‘Clothing the Loop.’ Mia has also showcased her own work at Blivande, Mach One Festival, and Australian Dance Week in Canberra. Alongside her dance practice, she recently completed a double bachelor’s degree in development studies and Anthropology at the Australian National University (ANU). This marks her first year as a mentor for Youth Dance Festival, and she is excited to support students in their creative journeys.

Q: What excites you the most about taking part in YDF?

A: What excites me the most about taking part in YDF is seeing young people create their own stories and express them through dance. I also love seeing how they respond to feedback, try new things, and push themselves creatively and technically. So far, there have been many satisfying moments where being a part of the growing and learning, even in a small way, feels very rewarding. It has been awesome to oversee and contribute to students’ creative processes, while also continuing to evolve myself alongside passionate young artists. It has been lots of fun!

Q: What have you learned from the dancers you’ve been mentoring?

A: It has been clear that the dancers have done the heavy lifting. They have generated ideas, shaped their work, and navigated the challenges of collaboration. What I’ve learned from them is how capable and creative young people can be when given space to lead. My role as a mentor is not necessarily to have all the answers, but rather to listen and support the students in their works, as they have so much to contribute themselves.

Q: As a dance mentor, how do you stay inspired and continue to grow as both a dancer and a teacher?

To stay inspired, it’s really important for me to stay immersed in the local dance community. This means attending shows, participating in workshops, and continuing to take classes. Through these avenues I learn from other dancers and teachers to continue growing my practice. I also love going to music events and just dancing to remind myself why I do it in the first place. There is a lot on in Canberra (surprising to some), so I find my cup is pretty full! Canberra has such a beautiful dance community, and I feel more and more connected every day.

Patricia Hayes Cavanagh by O&J Wikner Photography

PATRICIA HAYES CAVANAGH began dancing at age four and discovered improvisation and choreography as a teenager. A graduate of Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year (2020), they now work across teaching, performance, and arts engagement. Since 2021 Pat has been a Party Artist with Australian Dance Party, performing in award-winning and touring works, and has choreographed and assisted on multiple QL2 Dance projects. Their practice explores connections between people, nature, and movement. Pat has been a Youth Dance Festival mentor for three years, finding inspiration in the creativity and collaboration of students.

Q: What advice do you have for students participating in YDF?

A: Advice I would give to students this year is to really give everything to your performance. Look up and out to your audience! It draws the audience in when we are able to see your face.

Q: Why do you think YDF is important for young people?

A: YDF is important in establishing creativity, collaboration, and leadership. It shifts focus from the product to the process and gives autonomy to everyone in the group.

Q: Tell us about your YDF experience.

This is my third year working as a mentor for the Youth Dance Festival. I always come away from a mentoring session inspired and elated by the creativity, artistry, and enthusiasm displayed by each of the students and I can’t wait to see the final product onstage.

In this mentoring experience, I have seen amazing opportunities for the students to showcase not only their abilities, but also leadership skills, creativity, and vision.