Napier’s Bella Hey wins top NZ jazz dance award for fourth year

When Napier’s Bella Hey steps on to the stage, her hard work and passion for dance light up every move.

At just 10 years old, Bella has been awarded as the top examination student in New Zealand for the fourth consecutive year, reassuring her place as the best jazz dance student in New Zealand.

“I feel very proud of myself,” Bella says.

Her mum and dance teacher, Belinda Harvey, said that is a result of Bella’s “hard work and dedication”.

The young dancer’s day begins at 7.30am with independent practice before school.

Her packed weekly schedule includes ballet on Mondays, piano, guitar, tap, and singing on Tuesdays; swimming and gymnastics on Wednesdays; hip hop and rehearsals on Thursdays; jazz on Fridays, and contemporary and acro on Saturdays.

While Sundays are usually her day off, they often involve rehearsals if she is preparing for a show.

During exam season, extra rehearsals are added to the mix.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more. Bella is so dedicated and committed,” Harvey said.

Originally from Masterton, Harvey moved to Napier in 2000, where she opened her dance studio two years later.

“It’s lovely to see her following my footsteps and loving dance as much as I did growing up,” Harvey said.

“She is way more talented than I was at her age.”

Bella Hey began ballet at 3 and jazz at 5, like her mum and dance teacher, Belinda Harvey. Photo / Rafaella Melo

Like her mother, Bella started ballet at 3 years old and jazz at 5.

“Jazz has always been my favourite because I like the animation you can put into it. It’s just boppy and fun and it allows me to be myself,” Hey says.

The Top Examination Student in New Zealand is a nationwide exam with students from all over Aotearoa who study American Jazz Dance Affiliation (AJDA) jazz.

The examiner evaluates students' ability to meet the criteria including posture, the quality of movement, and performance quality. The award goes to the student who received the highest mark in New Zealand.

Last year, 108 students sat the examination in Bella’s age group.

“Being awarded the Top Examination Student in New Zealand for the fourth year in a row is a huge achievement for Bella Hey.

“It shows her talent, hard work, and dedication to dance,” AJDA co-director Louise ten Hove said.

“This recognition is not just about what Bella has done, but about the bright future ahead of her in dance.”

Bella’s future ambitions are to pursue a career in musical theatre while continuing to help her mother teach dance.

“I love being on stage. It feels like I can be whoever I want to be,” she said.

“I am very thankful for this great achievement, and I hope that someday in the future it will help me to have a good career.”

Isabella Davidson-Payne, Hey’s contemporary and acro teacher, calls her the most dedicated student she has ever taught.

“She won’t stop until she gets it perfect, and she asks all the possible questions to make sure that she fully understands everything she does,” Davidson-Payne said.

“Watch out for Bella Hey’s name. She will be there in the dance, theatre, and singing world. She is the ultimate triple threat at only 10 years old.”