Leila Zaknich
Dancing Through Education
Published in Print May 2025 order now!
words Danielle Brown
image Christophe Canato
At just 17, Leila Zaknich is already making waves in the Western Australian dance scene. A recent graduate of Willetton Senior High School, where she studied dance as an ATAR subject, Leila is now a full-time student at the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Her journey has been marked by discipline, passion, and a unique integration of academic learning with creative expression.
Willetton SHS doesn’t offer a large dance program. In 2024, there were just six students in the ATAR Dance cohort and around 15 in the broader Year 12 dance group. Dance at Willetton is led by Cheryl Venter and Mckenzie Goldsmith. Classes were often combined with Year 11 students, providing a collaborative, cross-year environment. “It meant we had to be independent but also open to working with others who were at different stages,” Leila recalls. “I think it actually made us better dancers because we learned how to adapt.”
Despite the modest size of the program, Leila thrived. She attributes much of her current success to the structure and support of studying dance as a school subject. “That theoretical side, which I guess you don’t get unless you’re doing dance exams outside of school, which I wasn’t—you don’t get that understanding that isn’t just about you moving in the space. I think that really helped,” she explains.
Her dedication culminated in a performance at the 29th annual Performing Arts Perspectives—Western Australia’s showcase of top WACE students in Dance, Drama and Music. Held at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth on 10 March 2025, the event is a hallmark of excellence and inspiration for future performing arts students. “We used to go and watch Perspectives in Year 11 and 12,” she said. “It was kind of surreal being the one on stage after watching others perform there.”
Leila performed her Original Solo Composition (OSC), a self-choreographed piece inspired by the myth of Pandora’s Box. “I found a poem that described the qualities Pandora was given when she was created. The first phrase in my solo is inspired by that. I had symbolic movements for each trait and carried a motif of my wrists extended outward throughout the dance.”
Creating the work was a deep and methodical process. “I really tried to come from the spot of the idea. I did a lot of research. Normally, I choreograph just from music, but this time I worked from the concept first. The music I eventually chose, ‘Mon Dieu’ by Edith Piaf, was a big risk, but it really paid off. It helped add the drama I needed to bring Pandora’s descent to life.”
WA’s ATAR Dance curriculum provides students with a comprehensive practical exam including a self-choreographed solo (OSC), a set solo shared across the state, an improvisation task, and an interview reflecting on all three components. Leila notes, “Improvisation is a big part of classwork. You’re given a prompt like ‘use retrograde or manipulate space,’ and you have to adapt your solo or the set work on the spot. It really forces you to think quickly and creatively, and that’s something we practised regularly in class.”
This well-rounded approach prepared Leila well for WAAPA. “All the theory classes combined with the practical make you a dancer. Understanding devices like retrograde, or analysing dance works, or knowing anatomy—it all helps. It gives you a toolkit to work from.” She elaborates that the analytical thinking required in her ATAR studies now helps her approach WAAPA’s challenging technical classes with insight and intention. “It’s not just about doing a movement, it’s about knowing why and how you do it.”
Now six weeks into her course at WAAPA, Leila is already thriving. “It’s amazing. Everyone was so instantly kind, and the teachers are so invested in your improvement. We do long, hard days, but you get through it because all you want to do is dance every day—and that’s what we get to do.”
She adds, “The structure of the course really surprised me in the best way. We had two orientation weeks at the start, and the staff were really conscious of helping us transition gradually into the full workload. They really care. It’s personalised, supportive, and the feedback is so constructive. You can tell they’re passionate about making us the best dancers and artists we can be.”
Leila also speaks fondly of her peers: “Everyone in my cohort is just so open and encouraging. There’s no competitiveness—just a collective drive. We all know we’re in this together for the next three years, and that really creates this beautiful sense of freedom and support in class. You feel safe to take risks.”
Though she considered other pathways, including broader performing arts training, WAAPA’s university-style structure won her over. “I really liked history and anatomy. That awareness of where dance comes from and the depth of training was a big pulling factor. It makes you a more aware dancer and artist. I didn’t want to just dance—I wanted to understand the art form.”
She also reflected on the value of pacing her dance training alongside school life. “Staying in school and doing after-school dance gave me something to look forward to. That balance made me love it more. It was a slow burn. By Year 11 and 12, I was set—I knew dance was what I wanted.”
Being selected for Performing Arts Perspectives was a full-circle moment. “We watched it in school in Year 11 and 12. One of our past students had performed in it. I auditioned for both the OSC and the set solo and got in for both. Rehearsing with the group was so inspiring. Everyone was kind and supportive. Performing at His Majesty’s Theatre with so many other passionate young artists was just amazing. It made everything—every rehearsal, every essay, every sore muscle—completely worth it.”
She also remembers the camaraderie of preparing for the group performance: “We were all doing the same set solo but it got transformed into a group piece by Kynan Hughes, who’s also my teacher at WAAPA, and April Vardy. We rehearsed weekly, and it built this really strong connection. Everyone cared so deeply. It was one of those rare moments where everything aligned—passion, community, creativity.”
Now juggling WAAPA life and assisting at K2Dance Studio, Leila continues to pour her energy into her passion. From the school dance studio at Willetton to the professional stage, her story is one of heart, craft, and a deep love for movement. She knows the journey is only just beginning.
“All I want to do is dance every day,” she says, glowing. “And that’s what I’m getting to do. I feel lucky—and ready.”