
South West dance star Jessica Newell will return to the region to headline the Mayor's Annual Variety Performance at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre this month.
Busselton-raised Newell moved to Sydney to pursue her dance career at the renowned Brent Street Studios before being signed at 19 to the prestigious MSA Agency in Los Angeles.
She spent the next six years realising her dream to dance with world-famous music artists, including Pitbull, Kesha, Timbaland and Ne-Yo.
During her time State-side, Newell also got the chance to work with Quentin Tarantino in Django Unchained and was an extra and a double in the Wizard of Oz remake, Oz the Great and Powerful.
Now based back in Perth, Newell teaches dance.
She said she wanted to teach her students to aim for the stars, and was excited to return to the region.
"I was very lucky to be living the dream, dancing and performing alongside some of the world's most exciting artists, and now that I'm back in Perth, I want to inspire and challenge other home grown, talented dancers to chase their dreams," she said.
"I am looking forward to being back in Bunbury, where it all began for me and perform at a show which showcases the amazing talent we have here in the South West."
The Mayor's Annual Variety Performance aims to highlight the rich and diverse array of talent in the South West and will serve as a fundraiser, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the performing artists and groups.
The evening of entertainment will feature music from The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables by the South West Opera Company.
The Philharmonic South West will perform classic pieces from its extensive repertoire, and accompany the WA Opera Company's Rob Littlewood, the Studio of Classical and Contemporary Dance, Nerida Mangano and the South West Opera Company.
The Bunbury City Band, Naked Villainy Theatre, Top Jazz Ballet and Koolangkas Kreate will also perform.
The Mayor's Annual Variety Performance will be held on July 20. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children and are on sale now at BREC.