Maya Hughes

My passion for performing began at the age of three when I commenced training in ballet, jazz and tap. Dance has remained an important part of my life ever since, providing me with a strong foundation in technique, discipline, musicality and performance, while developing my confidence and ability to connect with an audience. Tap dancing has been a particular highlight of my performing journey, with Australian Tap Dance Festivals providing valuable opportunities to perform, collaborate with other dancers and experience the excitement of live theatre. Performing in The Galas was a memorable experience and further strengthened my love of being on stage. Alongside dance, I have developed experience in singing, acting and modelling, allowing me to build a diverse range of performance skills. I have auditioned for child roles in national productions including Billy Elliot, Shrek and Frozen, reaching the final round of the Billy Elliot auditions in Sydney being a particularly significant milestone. The experience of progressing that far was incredibly rewarding and gave me valuable insight into the professional audition environment, as well as the importance of preparation, resilience and confidence. I have also submitted for a number of film roles, giving me experience in learning dialogue, developing characters and working with different accents. These opportunities have challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and continue developing my acting skills and versatility as a performer. My creative interests extend beyond performing to photography, particularly nature and wildlife photography. My work has been recognised with Junior awards through Australian Geographic and BirdLife Photography Australia. Photography has strengthened my observation, patience, composition and storytelling skills, qualities that I also bring to performance. In the future, I would love to combine my passions further through performing arts photography, capturing the energy, emotion and movement of performers on stage. I am passionate about continuing to grow as a performer and embracing opportunities that challenge me creatively. I would bring enthusiasm, dedication, versatility and a genuine love of performing, and I would be incredibly excited to contribute these qualities to Matilda The Musical and the opportunity to be part of a professional theatre production. Being an only child has helped me develop a strong sense of independence, confidence and self-motivation, while working with a diverse range of people has taught me how to listen, adapt and connect with different personalities. Through dance, singing, acting and performing, I have worked with people of different ages and backgrounds. I believe this combination of independence, adaptability and teamwork makes me unique as a performer. I am comfortable meeting new people, learning from those around me and contributing positively to a professional environment. My dedication to wildlife and nature photography comes from a desire to encourage conservation and inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world. I see photography as more than simply capturing an image. It's way of telling stories, creating connections with wildlife and showing people why our environment matters.

• @mayahughesphotography
• Website

1. 2024

   ABC's BTN Photography Prize

   Myself · ABC Behind The News · Television

2. 2017

   Kids Runway

   Junior Model · Adelaide Fashion Festival · Other

3. 2018

   Play The Floor

   Tap Ensembles - Gala · Australian Tap Dance Festival · Stage

4. 2019

   Rhythm Empire

   Tap Ensembles - Gala · Australian Tap Dance Festival · Stage

5. 2023

   Rhythm of the Sole

   Tap Ensembles - Gala · Australian Tap Dance Festival · Stage

6. 2024

   5AA Radio

   Interview · 5AA Adelaide, dir. Stacey Lee · Other

7. 2024

   ABC Radio Adelaide

   Interview · ABC, dir. Jules and Sonja · Other

8. 2019

   Sydney Tap Festival Concert

   Tap Ensemble Performance · Syd Tap Dance Festival · Stage

9. 2018

   Candance For A Cure

   Tap Dance Troupe · Stage

10. 2018

    RAD Dance Festival

    Concert Performance · Royal Academy of Dance · Stage

11. 2021

    RAD Dance Festival

    Concert Performance · Royal Academy of Dance · Stage

12. 2018

    Westfield Fashion Parades

    Models · Mostly Kids · Other