Born and raised in Leeton, Renee Sloan has always loved dance and as she grew up she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

From her studio, she shares her love for dance with her students, reinforcing the importance of art within a community while teaching others to express themselves through dance.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

“Playing at the Parkview Park on the swing set, I was probably about three or four.”

Who were your role models growing up?

“Mostly dance related, I was immersed in dance five to six days a week.

“Shannon Hart who now has a dance studio in Griffith and Kirsty Martin of the Australian Ballet who was a principal dancer, and my mum is definitely my role model. She’s a very tough woman.”

What did you want to be when you grew up?

“Dancer, I had no qualms or questions about that.

“I also love working with children.”

Do you feel that schooling is any different for kids today than when you were growing up?

“I think it’s more organic.

“I think the education system is noticing that kids have different learning styles, kids have different needs, kids have different backgrounds and some are very culturally different and I think it’s really important.”

How important are the arts are to a community?

“I think the arts are very important.

“That culture and the diversity are important for people to appreciate that people are different.

“We are individuals and I think art is a good way to express and highlight that.”

Do you find much support from the Leeton community for the arts?

“I think the arts are growing.

“We are transforming and emerging and I think our local Eisteddfod is a good way to showcase the talent that we have in Leeton.”

What makes Leeton unique?

“I think that the community is very giving, very supportive and very generous.

“We’re a very tight knit community.”