Young talent on show

When the Connolly Primary School pupil joined the John Cleary Dance Centre as a two-year-old, Cleary identified her as ‘a kid who will go places’.

Over the past nine years, his prediction has come true.

This year, Chloe (11) reached the finals of Australia’s Got Talent and played Jemima in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Crown Theatre.

She was the Annie understudy at the Burswood Theatre last year and played Gretl in The Sound of Music at the Regal Theatre in 2010.

Chloe is also an award-winning tap and song and dance performer.

‘It’s her bubbly personality and natural ability,’ Cleary said.

‘She wants the stage and lets nothing stop her.’

Cleary said the Australia’s Got Talent judges also saw her potential.

‘Three judges said she was born for the stage and Timomatic said she was going to be a star,’ he said.

For Chloe, it was a learning experience.

‘I met a lot of new people and the judges were amazing,’ she said.

Chloe hopes to star in musical theatre on Broadway one day.

‘I love performing in front of people and making people happy,’ she said.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever been nervous about performing in my life.’

Chloe is among the school’s many successes. Other former students have gone on to Broadway and the West End, joined European dance companies and the Australian Ballet School.

Many of Cleary’s first year concert cast will be at the end-of-year concert in Como on December 18.