At just 18, Tess Devine is emerging as one of Australia’s most promising young professional dancers — a rare combination of versatility, technical precision and genuine stage presence that is already earning recognition on both national and international platforms.
With major achievements across the US convention circuit, representation with Bloc LA and Kulik Management, and featured roles on the Dance Force Australian National Tour, Tess is entering the industry as a new professional talent on the rise — polished, world-ready and already working alongside some of the most respected choreographers in the global dance community.
“I’m proud of everything so far, but this is just the beginning,” she says. “My goals are big, and I’m determined to make them happen.”
A Breakout Presence on the US Convention Stage
One of the strongest markers of Tess’s artistic calibre is her rapid rise through the highly competitive American convention scene — some of the toughest professional pipelines in the world for pre-professionals transitioning into working artists.
Over the past year, Tess has accumulated major achievements at both Velocity Dance Convention and RADIX, two of the leading US dance ecosystems where industry agencies, choreographers and casting directors actively scout new talent.
In 2025, Tess:
- Won the Overall Senior Regional Highest Scoring Soloist at Velocity Las Vegas
- Was awarded Maximum Velocity Artist (MVA) at Velocity Regionals
- Became a Senior Protégé Finalist at RADIX Nationals in San Diego
- And most significantly — at Velocity National Finals (Las Vegas), held at Caesars Forum — she was awarded MVA+ (Maximum Velocity Artist PLUS), selected from dancers across the USA and overseas.
“These auditions really taught me the value of being versatile,” Tess says. “You have to excel in every style, under pressure, in front of choreographers you’ve admired your whole life. It pushed me further than anything I’ve experienced.”
Signing With Bloc LA – A Major Step Into the US Commercial Market
At major US conventions, top talent agencies regularly attend to identify exceptional rising artists.
Tess was scouted and signed to Bloc LA, one of the most respected and competitive agencies in the American commercial dance market — known for representing talent in:
- Television
- Film
- Music videos
- World tours
- Commercial campaigns
- Live stage productions
She has also secured Australian representation with Kulik Management, cementing her position as a dual-market emerging artist.
“Incredibly, a lot of agencies attend the national conventions,” she explains. “I was fortunate to be seen during workshops and auditions and to sign with Bloc LA. I’m so grateful to have them guiding me into the next phase of my career.”
Working With International Choreographers and Creative Teams
In addition to her success on the competition floor, Tess is already working directly with high-level industry professionals — an important indicator of her professional calibre.
Recent credits include:
- Professional Assistant to world-renowned choreographer Nika Kljun on her 2025 Australian Tour
- Professional Assistant to Meghan Sanett during her classes and workshops in Australia
- Skeleton crew dancer for Latrice Kabamba (2025)
- Assistant Choreographer to Kyle Borg for an international production project (2024)
“Working with Nika and Meghan has been a dream,” Tess says. “Their professionalism, their artistry — it’s everything I aspire to. Being chosen to assist them was absolutely a pinch-me moment.”
Her ability to support such artists reflects her professionalism, adaptability and choreographic intelligence — qualities that position her strongly for future large-scale productions.
Touring Artist & Emerging Professional Performer
While Tess is building strong momentum internationally, her Australian credits also demonstrate clear professional readiness.
She has performed in major theatrical, commercial and touring engagements including:
- Dance Force Australian National Tour 2024 – Featured Dancer & Guest Soloist
- Confirmed to return as a featured dancer for the full Dance Force National Tour 2025
- Grease – The Arena Experience (Harvest Rain)
- Wizard of Oz (Harvest Rain)
- Bonnie Lythgoe’s “The Adventures of Peter Pan & Tinkerbell” – cast as “Nana” and ensemble
- Russian Imperial Ballet’s “Nutcracker” – Ensemble Dancer
- Multiple productions with Dream Dance Creative (Marko Panzic)
- RB Corp Instruction productions (Riley Baldwin)
- NXTGEN Project under BJ Rorke
She also appeared in a national broadcast segment for The Today Show (2024) as a featured dancer.
Combined, these credits reflect a young performer who has already worked in commercial, theatrical and touring environments — capable of fast-paced rehearsal processes, high performance output, and consistent professional reliability.
Dance Force: High-Performance Training Ground
Tess’s training pathway is another asset contributing to her rapid professional growth.
She was part of the inaugural Dance Force Academy class, completing three years of elite Academy training before moving into Dance Force’s intensive Full-Time program.
At Dance Force, she developed:
- high-level commercial technique
- stamina, precision and dynamism as a stage performer
- versatility across jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, musical theatre and lyrical
- experience in touring productions
- the professionalism required for long-run shows and large cast environments
Her qualifications also include:
- CUA30120 Certificate III in Dance
- Australian Teachers of Dance (Jazz, Tap, Ballet) Elementary Certifications
- Trinity College London Speech & Drama (Grade 4)
- Musical Theatre (Grade 6)
- Australian First Aid Certification (2024)
- Australian High School Certificate (2024)
“Dance Force has been everything I hoped for,” Tess says. “Touring as a featured soloist prepared me physically and mentally for the demands of a professional career.”
Recent Professional Highlights & Industry Recognition
Tess continues to be recognised across national platforms, demonstrating her growing prominence within the Australian dance industry.
Recent highlights include:
- Dance Around the World Soloist at the Australian Dance Festival (2024)
- Selected as the only Saturday performer invited to progress to the Final Night showcase
- Featured dancer in the Light the Way Opening Gala (2025)
- Freestyle Dancer at the Muay Thai League National Championships (2025)
These engagements reflect a performer who is already being invited to participate in high-profile events — a clear indicator of industry demand for her artistry.
Looking Ahead
Despite the breadth of her current achievements, Tess remains grounded and deeply focused on her next chapter.
“I’m lucky to have supportive teachers and family who push me,” she says. “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far, but I know I’m only at the very beginning.”
Her long-term vision is unmistakable.
“My dream is to dance for the Radio City Rockettes. Their precision and choreography are everything I love. And I would love to work with choreographers like Mandy Moore and Kate Wormald in the future.”
Given her trajectory — international recognition, agency representation, high-level performance credits and growing professional demand — Tess Devine is one of Australia’s strongest emerging young artists, ready to step confidently into the global dance industry.
