CALLBACK

Each February, the stage of the Everest Theatre at the Seymour Centre becomes a place of celebration for some of the most exceptional young dancers in New South Wales. CALLBACK brings together students whose works were nominated from the Higher School Certificate Dance practical examinations, presenting a curated showcase of the state’s most outstanding performances and compositions. Presented by The NSW Department of Education’s, Arts Unit in partnership with the NSW Education Standards Authority, the event recognises the artistic achievement, dedication and creativity of Year 12 dance students from across the state. More than simply a performance season, CALLBACK is an opportunity for students to share their stories, learn from one another and reflect on the journey that brought them to this moment.

In the days leading up to the performances, current year 11 and 12 dance students take part in a series of intensive workshops at the Seymour Centre, engaging in discussions, practical classes and Q and A sessions with the featured Callback performers. These sessions explore core components of the HSC Dance syllabus including appreciation, composition and performance, providing valuable insight into the creative and analytical processes that underpin the subject. The atmosphere is one of excitement and curiosity as students exchange ideas, ask questions and deepen their understanding of the art form they study so intensely over two years.

For many dancers, the journey to CALLBACK begins long before Year 12. Cleo Doyle from St Francis Xaviers College, Hamilton described how dance slowly became a central part of her academic life after years of training outside the classroom. “I had been dancing since I was two, so choosing dance as a subject felt natural,” Cleo explained. “But my school did not offer it until Year 11, so I studied it through distance education. When the opportunity finally came, I jumped at it because dance has always been my passion.”

Studying dance academically opened a new world for Cleo, allowing her to understand the form from both a physical and intellectual perspective. “What surprised me most was how much there was to learn beyond just moving,” she said. “The theory side was incredibly valuable. We learnt about anatomy, safe dance practice and the choreographic process. Suddenly I was not only dancing but understanding why the body moves the way it does and how ideas turn into choreography. It gave me a completely new appreciation for the craft.”

Because her school did not have a dedicated dance program, Cleo often had to create her own learning environment. “Every Monday morning, I would meet my external teacher before school in the sports hall or the drama room,” she recalled. “Sometimes we worked in person, other times we connected online. There were two other girls in my year studying dance as well, so we supported each other and shared ideas. Even though it was quite independent, we were really motivated and it became something we looked forward to each week.”

Like many students encountering the HSC Dance syllabus for the first time, Cleo found the terminology and structure initially challenging. “It really is like learning a new vocabulary,” she reflected. “You already know how to dance, but suddenly you are being asked to explain the creative process, to talk about composition, performance quality and choreographic devices. It takes time to understand that language, but once you do, it helps you articulate what you are doing as an artist.”

Now studying full-time at NAISDA Dance College on the Central Coast, Cleo can clearly see how her HSC Dance experience prepared her for the demands of professional training. “The course gave me a foundation that has helped me transition into full-time study,” she said. “Even the discipline of structuring rehearsals and understanding choreography has been really useful. It made the step into training much smoother.”

Being selected for CALLBACK was a deeply emotional moment for her. “I cried when I received the email,” Cleo admitted. “I remember sitting in the audience last year watching CALLBACK and thinking how incredible it would be to see my own work on that stage. To come back a year later and perform here feels like a full circle moment.” She paused before adding, “The piece I am presenting is really meaningful to me, and to share it on a stage like this is something I will never forget.”

For Erin Clowes, collaboration played a crucial role in her creative process. She worked closely with her dancer, Isabella Townsend, during her HSC composition work, developing a partnership built on trust and mutual understanding. “I was actually really lucky because I already knew Bella quite well,” Erin explained. “We had toured together for dance before, so we understood each other’s movement styles. When my teacher told me she would be performing my work I felt so relieved because I knew she would really commit to it.”

That sense of trust allowed Erin to push her ideas further as a choreographer. “When you are creating work for someone else you have to let go a little bit,” she said. “You guide the vision, but the dancer also brings their own interpretation. Because Bella cares so much about dance and wants to pursue it as a career, I knew she would give everything to the performance. That made the process exciting rather than nerve wracking.”

Moments like these illustrate why CALLBACK remains such an important event within dance education in New South Wales. It celebrates not only individual achievement but the collaboration between students, teachers and schools that supports each young artist’s development. Within the HSC Dance syllabus, students learn to perform, choreograph and critically analyse movement, gaining skills that extend far beyond the studio.

As the theatre lights dim and each student steps onto the stage, the audience witnesses far more than technical ability. They see years of training, resilience and creative exploration distilled into a few powerful minutes of performance. For the students themselves, CALLBACK is both a celebration and a launching point, a reminder that their voices, ideas and stories deserve to be seen. Many will go on to professional careers in dance, choreography and the broader arts industry, while others will carry the confidence and creative thinking they developed through dance into entirely different fields.

What remains constant is the impact of the experience. As Cleo Doyle reflected quietly after rehearsal, “Dance has shaped who I am. Being here at CALLBACK reminds me that all the hard work, the early mornings and the long rehearsals were worth it. It is a moment that makes you realise just how powerful dance can be.”