Gladstone girl Steffi Samuels has completed her first year of studies at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) in Mackay and is on her way to realising her childhood dream of dancing her way around the world.

Steffi saw Anything Goes when she was 4 and decided then that she was going to be like the girls in the movie.

Steffi Samuels

"I really want to dance on cruise ships and sail around the world performing," says Steffi.

"Already in my first year I've had some great experiences, performing in 2 major productions (High School Musical and Pajama Game) and working with directors and producers visiting from Sydney and Melbourne who work professionally in the business.

"High School Musical was directed by Drew Anthony whose background was that of a dancer and this made him interesting to work with.

"In the Pajama Game I was a featured dancer in the 'Steam Heat' routine and also given the role of understudy for the character Gladys.

"Various workshops are held during the year and my 2 favourite were a make-up workshop and a tap workshop.

"Studying at the Con is a lot of fun and we're really getting a sense of how hard you have to work in this business but that's exactly what we're here to learn," says Steffi.

She said her strongest talent was dance but job prospects in musical theatre also required strong vocal training - hence her choice of CQCM.

"My goal is to graduate as a strong singer and dancer. I would love to be a singer-dancer on a cruise ship; after that perhaps a long-term career in dance teaching."

Conservatorium lecturers Kim Kirkman and Mark Gasser will host auditions for the next batch of CQCM students in Gladstone on Tuesday November 6,  from 3pm - 5pm at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre in the Basement Playhouse.

It's not too late to apply and further details of auditions are available via Kim MacKenzie on 4940 7801 or k.mackenzie@cqu.edu.au.

Central Queensland University's (CQU) new Bachelor of Music (Specialisation) degree contains specializations in jazz and popular music, music theatre, and classical music. The new Bachelor of Performing Arts (Specialisation) is a flexible program with a number of specialisation options, preparing graduates who are competent to work in a variety of setting within the Arts industry.

For more information go to www.cqu.edu.au/cqcm

Students completing programs at CQCM can do an additional year in the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching to qualify as a school teacher.

Other Conservatorium student profiles are available by clicking here