“I love that I can express myself when I dance,” Zoe said. 

Zoe has had a huge year with dancing – she has won over 50 trophies from eisteddfods in Taree, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Maitland. 

Achieving these wins has been a huge accomplishment for the 13-year-old, who last year sustained a serious injury.

Zoe injured her patella (knee cap) and had to take three months off from dancing. 

Zoe’s mother Shelly O’Bryan said, Zoe cried a lot during this period. 

“She would attend every class so she didn’t miss anything,” Shelly said.

“Her teacher Miss Ayesha found her crying backstage at an eisteddfod and she said to her ‘You know what this means? If you miss it this much you are meant to be a dancer’.”  

Zoe brought her emotion back into her dancing, specifically into her favourite style of contemporary.

Zoe attends school at Taree High and dances at Andrea Rowsell Academy of Dance. 

“It’s so nice to see everything come together for Zoe,” dance academy director Miss Andrea said.

“She’s worked hard but also very carefully to strengthen everything up.” 

Zoe’s dream is to become a professional dancer with the New Zealand Ballet. 

Zoe would like to say a big thank you to teachers Miss Andrea, Miss Ayesha, Miss Susan, Miss Corinne, Miss Joanne, Miss Cassie and Mr Chris for their support with her dancing.