Bundaberg’s Coco Suosaari made history again when she was crowned Get the Beat champion for the third time, making it three from three.
Two years ago, Coco first made Get the Beat history when she was the first dancer to win the championship twice.
Now she’s done it again and taken home her third title, this time Queensland Teen Champion.
The incredibly talented Coco says she feels honoured to be recognised among the best dancers in Australia, and it’s a feeling that’s left her feeling “on top of the world”.
Get the Beat is an annual dance competition which draws competitors from around Australia.
This year Get the Beat’s competition operated differently because of COVID-19 and dancers participated at state level.
The Shalom College Year 8 student started dancing when she was three years old, after learning how to switch on her parent’s CD player in the kitchen early in the morning, and a decade later she’s never looked back and strives more than ever.
“I’ve been entering Get the Beat since 2016, and I recently travelled down to the Sunshine Coast to compete in their 2020 finals,” Coco said.
“This was a Queensland final because of the border closures.
“Combined states are holding separate finals because of COVID – usually everyone competes at the Sunshine Coast.”
Coco has won every year that she has been eligible to enter Get the Beat, and the competition has given her the opportunity to travel to America to compete.
“Usually the prize is a paid trip to America, to compete at the USA National KAR Dance Competition in Las Vegas, but this year has been a little different so instead the prize is $1000 and some amazing prizes from sponsors,” Coco said.
“But winning this year also means that I’m on stand-down for next year’s final. I cannot compete until 2022 in the Champion of Champions.”
Coco dances on the world stage
Coco dreams her hard work and dedication, along with the help from Miss Peta at Bundaberg Dance Academy, will one day see her leaping through a career on the world stage.
In 2018 Coco won Get the Beat junior national Australian champion of champions, against 63 competitors from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
This year Coco said she was up against some brilliant dancers and although she wasn’t sure what the judges were looking for, she focused on her dance style.
“I’m unsure of what they were exactly looking for, but I tried to show that I had emotion throughout my performance and really connect to the judges and tell them a story,” she said.
“I also wanted to nail all my jumps, turns and leaps.
“Get the Beat is such an amazing competition and supports kids from all ages, abilities and places.
“They really bring together the dance industry and I can't thank them enough for all they do for me, and the journey they have taken me on.”
Through dancing Coco says it has given her the chance to travel America, Thailand and Singapore, where she has competed against some of the best dancers in her age category.
“I’m in my 10th year of dancing and I would say I’m progressing really well,” she said.
“I have just got to keep up the hard work ready for when everything is back to normal.
“I'm in the high-performance program which allows me to train in dance at an international level.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to been flown over to America with GTB competing in KAR, Thailand with ATOD and Singapore with GTB and The Dream Dance Co.
“It’s such an eye opener to see each culture and how they portray dancing.
“Dancing is different for everyone and it’s so good to look at it from a different perspective. Again, I am so grateful and fortunate.”
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