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Dancing on the shimmering edge of the Pacific, nestled between national parks and endless beaches, you’ll find Wamberal, Australia, a modest coastal town an hour north of Sydney. Amidst this sun-soaked paradise, an energetic six-year-old named Lela Johnson fell in love with the rhythmic charm of dance at a local dance school. Flash forward 15 years, and Lela has grown into a trailblazing powerhouse on the international dance circuit, proving that passion truly knows no bounds.
The tale of Lela’s journey from a secret coastal hideaway to international stages is a testament to her indefatigable spirit. The path wasn’t exactly paved with gold. It was more like dancing barefoot on broken glass; you feel every sharp edge, but you continue because the music is too enchanting to stop.
For the naysayers who dismissed Lela’s dreams as unattainable, her accolades serve as the perfect comeback. Who else can boast of winning not one, but two Australian National Championships as a soloist by the time they graduated high school?
DanceLife Australian Dance Awards 2019 sees over 25,000 dancers compete nationally over the course of a year. It was Lela’s dance technique paved from a young age with elite training, her talent for interpretation of storylines, and her expression of movement that lead to her taking out the Title. Her lyrical routine choreographed by the renowned Natalie Baker entitled “In Case You Don’t Live Forever” was performed around the country a total of 6 times to a changing panel of international judges competing against the country’s best dancers. She was awarded Grand National Champion Soloist 2019. Her talent was so well received as part of her Title recognition that she was offered on the spot a full scholarship to train at The Broadway Dance Centre in New York.
Lela’s continuous innovation of creating and her astute understanding of the shifting dynamics of performance, including differing markets and audiences’ appreciation and perception, along with working with different trainers and choreographers, both nationally and internationally, such as Jason Winters (So You Think You Can Dance, Cirque De Soleil), Shannon Atkins (Broadway Dance Centre NY), Marinda Davis (Marinspired The Storytellers NY & LA) and Shannon Mather (NBC World of Dance) has allowed her to adapt and optimize her skills to be at the top of her field.
Lela’s continual growth saw her set herself up to take out a second National Title the following year which is unheard of. Showcase Australian National Titles 2020 covers 48 regional and state centers across Australia and New Zealand with over 28,000 dancers taking the stage. Lela beat out thousands to take one of the converted 50 spots at the national titles final in Queensland. This 50 then became 10, before being cut to the top 5 and finally top 2 with Lela performing her contemporary lyrical routine for the 6th time for the Gala audience and panel of once again expert international judges. Lela took out the title Dancer of the Year 2020.
Lela was now a household name in the performing arts industry and it was only just beginning.
Lela jetted off to international stages. As Australia’s national champion, she was sent to Bangkok, Thailand, to compete at the Asian World Dance Titles 2019. She enthralled audiences and judges alike, clinching the International Champion Soloist Title. Lela’s mastery of the stage saw her present engaging performances that were pure genius. Lela completed a total of 6 solo’s in different genres from Broadway Jazz, lyrical and contemporary to demonstrate her versatility and skill in each discipline against dancers from across the world. Her ingenuity and adaptability propelled the Australian Dance brand to new heights and reshaped the landscape of the Australian Dance Industry as a world leader in producing exceptionally trained and intuitive performers. Lela had created an indelible mark.
Lela was selected to join the ranks of Marinspired Storytellers in New York City under the direction of Marinda Davis, followed by being the first Australian Dancer to be accepted by Mather Dance Company as a bridge member in Los Angeles. Mather Dance Company under the artistic directorship of Shannon Mather has produced formidable dancers including MDC3, the winners of NBC World of Dance.
Lela’s second international title opportunity was delayed due to Covid, but in July 2022 she cemented her position as Australia’s best and became the world’s best in contemporary dance. As Australia’s national champion, she made her way to Italy to compete at the World Dance Movement Titles 2022. Competing against dancers from the USA, Europe, and South Africa. As judged by a panel of 6 international experts, Lela has been crowned Senior World Champion Soloist in Contemporary Dance.
Lela with her extraordinary results is now a renowned global dancer. When in Italy she was scouted by Italian choreographer Diego Orengo. She was flown to Miami, Florida to dance as his Two70 Lead Dancer in his production “The Silk Road”. This production is now on tour with Royal Caribbean International gracing the Asian shores of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Lela has been on this international tour for the last 10 months.
This Australian dynamo redefined the world of dance on her own terms despite enduring periods of adversity. Faced with injuries, Lela showcased her iron will, turning these roadblocks into stepping stones. Even in the face of the 2020 lockdown, she powered through Zoom classes, studied for two dance diplomas, and when Australian borders closed, she navigated the bureaucratic maze to train overseas.
Lela’s journey is much more than an inspirational dance narrative. It’s about the grit behind grace and the fortitude under the spotlight. She believes in charting her own course and pursuing her passion with unparalleled determination.
Reflecting on her journey, Lela advises, ” Work ethic, determination, and drive are the pathways to success. Believe in yourself and have confidence in your abilities. Know your worth. Forge your own path; do things your way.”
Looking ahead, Lela dreams of a dance-filled future, creating her own dance company, and spreading the joy of dance globally. Her voyage from the sands of Wamberal to the glitz of international stages is not merely a testament to her talent but a lesson in pursuing dreams with fervor and resilience.
Lela dances to the beat of her own drum, literally and figuratively. And that, folks, is her secret ingredient. Want to catch more of Lela’s incredible journey? Well, why just read when you can watch? Put on your virtual dancing shoes and follow her on Instagram.
