SIXTEEN-year-old dancer Hailey Krongold from Safety Beach is proving that you can make a difference with a few good moves – and a big heart. Last month she organised her first dance workshop called Aspire for dancers aged over 12 at Inspirations Performing Arts Studio in Mornington.
“I felt as if there are so many aspiring dancers on the peninsula who may not have access to the same teachers and mentors as those in the metro areas due to the travel distance to get to these open classes and programs,” she said. “So why not bring these incredible choreographers to the peninsula for us all to enjoy.”
Hailey said the workshop, held on 27 April, was designed to not only provide young people with a local dance workshop, but also give back to the community with all profits going towards Beyond Blue. Following its success, a second workshop is set to be held on 8 June with Hailey choosing Headspace as her next charity to support.
The costs of running the first workshop were also kept down thanks to the owner of Inspirations Performing Arts Studio allowing Hailey to use the facility free of charge. “I have been dancing since the age of two in a range of styles. Dance is really important to me and many others,” Hailey said.
Having been a student at Transit Dance in Brunswick last year, Hailey was able to establish many choreographer contacts who were more than happy to lend a hand in teaching at the workshop.
This included Jemma Craig (commercial), Poppy Donaldson (jazz) and Leah Hamlet (lyrical).
Hailey’s parents said they were “incredibly proud of her initiative in bringing her idea for Aspire to life”.
While the workshops are aimed for dancers at an intermediate to advanced level, beginners are also welcome to attend.
To learn more, visit the Aspire Instagram page @aspire_peninsula_
First published in the Mornington News – 20 May 2025
