Meet Zara Dimmock | The Dancer Down Under

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zara Dimmock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zara, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The bare maximum; making the most of what you have. I have always been the underdog. It’s one thing to be born in Australia as an aspiring creative where the electric hub of entertainment is literally half a world away. I am also not from a major city where what little opportunity for artistry there is in Aus exists. I am from a small town, I am the only dancer from the studio I grew up training at to pursue a career. There are not many opportunities for growth and excellence in the arts out here. Or so I thought. While I had to come to terms with this difficult truth about my home – I would need to move across the planet alone, away from everything and everyone I’ve ever known to feel fulfilled as the artist I am – I couldn’t run away immediately. It has been years of feeling static here, longing, pining to be on the world’s stage. A $20,000 visa away, 347 auditions away, the same amount of “better luck next time”‘s away. No you see I had to learn to make magic with what I already had in the mean time. That has meant working 40+ hours a week in a conventional job, teaching another 10 and training for myself with any other time I had, normally in the early hours of the morning while everyone sleeps. I am the exception. And I believe in the power of disadvantage. Be inspired by what you have inside you, look inward, and propel sky high with the motivation that comes from being told you can’t have what you most deeply desire. Nothing is more powerful than a person who bleeds, sweats and cries for the life they’ve always dreamt of. You can achieve anything. I live by the bare maximum and will look back from that world tour, movie set, high pedestal and remember it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a professional dancer from a town just north of Sydney, Australia. I have dreamt of becoming a dancer since I was 4 and have stuck to it ever since. 17 years of training and thinking big, saving every dollar I made from the age of 14 in preparation for what is about to happen to me. In January 2024, I am scheduled to make the leap to Hollywood. On my own, 21, away from the norm, to build an entirely new life and hopefully, empire. I have made trips over to the States since I was 16 and have made many incredible relationships. I am even signed with the countries top agency, BLOC LA, before my relocation. It has been gruelling. As it goes, nothing worth having comes easy. That will make my success that much sweeter and I have reminded myself of that for many years. The process of moving to the US is a hardship untold. It looks like deciding between a house deposit or risking it all just to be allowed the slip to work in the country. In saying that, it has always been the art for me. It is worth everything, every dollar, every tear, every moment of doubt and loss. There is something to be said for the power of resilience and persistence, you can get wherever you want to go if you work hard enough and are a good person. This I believe. It is my experience growing up as the one who ‘has the talent to make it but is too far away’, it has made me that much more disciplined. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, you master both and you’re unstoppable. I have a long way to go and much to learn, but it’s gotten me this far and I know we are only at the beginning. When I make the move in 6 months, I will go straight into auditions, training, classes and probably a million more “No thank you”‘s, but the yes will be victorious and huge. It will look like a world stadium tour with your favourite singer, or me choreographing work at your favourite multi-million dollar fashion show. My impact will be authentic, a path less commonly ventured but that much sweeter. Keep it real, be kind, give back to the world, and work your ass off. You’ll be surprised where it gets you. What’s great about my story is that I am an incredibly average human doing incredibly out of the ordinary things… dare to dream.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question, I have found LA not to be for everyone, but for me, it is a deep love affair. The love of my 20s no doubt, boys are overrated. I feel more at home in the rustle and bustle of the unfamiliar west coast than my home here in AUS of 21 years. There is a certain electricity to the city and a promise of potential. It really is like the movies, it is what you make it. An ideal day in the city for me is as follows, early wake up and venture to watch the sunrise at Runyon Canyon hike. Gains, nature, good company and a view? I’m still dreaming. Head home and pick the outfit from your closet that always scares you to wear out because of what other people might think and JUST DO IT because the world is a better place if we all choose to shine. Head to Los Feliz, my absolute favourite spot in Cali. There is a divine French style, street-facing cafe and restaurant. We order the matcha, the crepes, yes with Nutella don’t be silly. Head over to the local small-businesses and thrift stores, shop sustainable one-of-a-kind pieces and buy a book. We head over to Manhattan Beach, understated and humble. Soak up that American sunshine, grateful to be alive. You teleport to a small corner of the world with your new book. Learn something about yourself and the world. We finish the day off with a dance class, movie, concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Art connects us all, to be immersed in it and to accept/support it, is to love.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am the product of supportive parents who believe their child can do anything. I’ve given them good reason to believe in me don’t get me wrong, but that’s not always enough and I truly am so lucky. My parents had me young and have worked so hard to give me this life. Their determination and grit is the driving force in my mind that keeps me hungry for success. Years of driving me to Sydney to attend that class, putting my future above their own. I will spend my life indebted and thank my lucky stars for them and my grandparents. The Australian dance community has also been pivotal in my journey. With what little we have here in the realm of creative opportunity, few have reached the heights necessary to give people like me a chance. In my early career here, I have still managed to work on music video’s for international artists, choreograph on TV shows like The Voice and other impressive productions. Without their mentorship and belief in me, this would have been a much more lonely road. At the end of the day, you can have all the accolades in the world, but that means nothing without people to hold. Finally, a fun fact for readers, if you are to read one book in your life, make sure it’s ‘Greenlights’ by Matthew McConaughey. I’m not religious but if I were this is the bible. I even have a tattoo of the book’s logo on my arm. It is life altering. The type of words that find you when you need it most. Inspiration is everywhere. Soak it up.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaradimmock_/

Image Credits
Johnny Vision (Headshots) The Voice Bondi Beach Party World Pride for Nicole Sherzinger Tones and I Music Video