Alexius doesn’t usually utter the word can’t. Instead, when a challenge is put before her, the young dancer gives it her all. Alexius Horsburgh doesn’t usually utter the word can’t. Instead, when a challenge is put before her, the young dancer gives it her all. It’s this tenacity that has awarded Alexius, 10, of Aberglasslyn, a scholarship in honour of Maitland dance legend Daphne Parker.
“Alexius started dancing in Queensland when she was three and when we came here to live she wanted to continue,” her mother Louise Horsburgh said. “But she always had rhythm, even as a little one.” So under the tutelage of Hungarian ballet dancer Janos Szabo at the East Maitland Academy of Dance, Alexius has flourished.
“Janos is so wonderful with the dancers and Alexius didn’t get this scholarship because of how refined she is as a dancer, she got it because of how far she has come,” Ms Horsburgh said. “Alexius never says she can’t do anything, she’s not afraid to try something different and have a go at things that are challenging. And she just has this absolute love for dance.”
Daphne Parker died in 2008 following an 18-month battle with cancer. She was 66 and taught dance in Maitland for more than 45 years.
