Col’s Chat – Locals through my Lens – Sonja Kay

Col’s Chat –

Locals through my Lens

Sonja Kay

OK! Hands up if you’ve met the Queen? 

No? Well, one member of our local community not only got to chat with her, and perform for her, but also soaked up some royal acclaim, when Her Majesty said, “What a talent you are!” 

“I grew up in Mount Isa. Dancing was just one of those extracurricular activities that I did. Then one day, a ‘fly in’ teacher saw me and invited me to audition for the Queensland Dance School of Excellence and that began my world.” 

At 14, Sonja moved away from home to Brisbane, but it wasn’t easy. In an out of different accommodations, trying to maintain a year 11/12 education, all the while away from family. 

At 16, Sonja joined the Queensland Ballet, working alongside adults, going on tour and trying to fit in. “In the end I didn’t really fit in and got given six month’s ‘leave’. I found that soul destroying and never went back. Instead, I took some administrative jobs and settled in for a different life.” 

It didn’t take long however, for the dancing shoes to call Sonja back. “I realised that I missed it, so I went back to QUT to train and that’s where I got my spark.” 

Sonja received a grant for independent development and travelled through England and Europe visiting many different dance companies before the bright lights of London came calling. “It took another year and half to get my first job there, but once I did, my career took off, with the highlight being a senior artist working with Sir Richard Alston OBE, the director of Rambert Dance Company for 10 years.” 

“I worked on contemporary dance projects from inception to touring. The more contacts I made; the more doors opened.” One of those doors belonged to Buckingham Palace.  

“I was also one of Kylie’s dancers for her performance at the Brit Awards; for the Pet Shop Boys on Top of the Pops, and for them again at the MTV Awards in Germany. When I began a family, finding fulltime work with Sir Richard Alston OBE was a gift as it gave me constant employment and a steady income.” 

After this star-spangled career, Sonja decided to return to Australia. The role of full time Mum was all encompassing until those feet got a little ‘itchy’ again. “Dancing came calling again when I got a scholarship to lead the Dance for Parkinsons with Queensland Ballet. I also got truly inspired again at the 40th birthday reunion of the Expressions Dance Company, now known as the Australian Dance Collective.” 

It seems to me that the dancing will always run through Sonja’s veins. Her experience and skills are right here in our community and she is always looking at ways to inspire the next young dancer to set their sights on the world stage. Maybe that’s you? 

Author and photographer: Colin Bushell / Colin Bushell Photography