New York beckons for AIMES Emerging Talent Award winner Amelia Ullrich whose path to becoming a professional dancer and choreographer has continued to strengthen since receiving her award in 2019.

Travel restrictions allowing, the Rangitoto College student is due to head to the Big Apple next year after being accepted into the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet School, New York’s official ballet school.

“Winning the AIMES Emerging Talent Award, and having the North Harbour Club’s support, has helped me on my journey to become a professional dancer and choreographer. I’m so excited to go on a trip next year to the Joffrey Ballet School Intensive in New York!”

Amelia received her AIMES Emerging Talent (Arts) Award in 2019 at the age of 14 and has continued to make staggering progress across various dance disciplines since. Her most recent success was being named New Zealand National Top Dancer Senior at the 2021 New Zealand Dance Awards, held in early June.

She was the Northern School of Performing Arts (NSPA) competition’s highest scoring solo performer and was named senior ultimate dancer for 2021 at their jazz dance competition event held in May. Also this year, Amelia was the highest scoring solo performer at the Velocity Dance Competition in Auckland and was awarded a scholarship to the Brent Street Sydney Intensive for 2022.

Last year she completed her Advanced 1 RAD ballet exam, achieved a perfect 100% in her New Zealand Association of Modern Dance jazz exam and 99% in her contemporary dance exam. She was named ultimate dancer by the NSPA, with the overall highest score in its 2020 competition.

Runner up at the Dancer of the Year 2020 Showcase NZ, Amelia was accepted onto the New Zealand team for the Dance World Cup in Spain. Other highlights include receiving a Performing Arts Competitions Association of New Zealand nomination for 2021, being named a Follow Your Dreams regional champion and ambassador, and achieving the highest overall score at the Victorious dance competition.

For Amelia, dance is everything. “Dance is something that shapes me and makes me who I am; from meeting lots of new people, learning to be resilient, always being creative, and always being true to myself.

“It is my passion to create pieces of art, share who I am and my message, and make others feel impacted by my performances.”

Owing to her talent, hard work and passion to pursue her dreams, and with help from the AIMES Award programme, Amelia’s future looks bright. “My goal for the future is to dance in a contemporary company and dance around the world sharing my choreography.”

Amelia Ullrich, 2019 AIMES Emerging Talent Award (Arts), sponsored by Bellingham Wallace.

Amelia performing at the 2019 AIMES Awards Gala Dinner