Desert Rain is created by two Centralian youth dancers Leah Cato, 17, and Eli Clarke, 15. It is a piece inspired by their memories and expresses the happiness and enjoyment they felt as children when, on rare occasions, the rain came to Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Leah, with Eli’s contribution, choreographed and directed Desert Rain. Her love for dancing started at the age of five at the Central Dance Theatre and, since then, she has been dancing for nine years with Studio B School of Dance. Over the years, Leah has taken part in many dance opportunities such as the Australian Ballet Summer Schools, Jason Coleman Ministry of Dance Summer Schools and participated in the Australian Youth Dance Festival in 2019.
Eli has been dancing for 6 years with Studio B School of Dance. In 2019 he was awarded the National Student Star Award in Dance Train Magazine. Eli has also received several scholarships including the British Ballet Organisation Junior Contemporary Scholarship in 2017, Royal Academy of Dance – Victorian Dance Festival in 2018 and a full time Scholarship to the Brent Street Performing Arts Studio Academy in 2021.