The passion a creative has for their craft is unlike any other- it's next level.
Performer Lyndell Harbeck is a shining example of that. Dancing her way through a colourful career, world travel, showbiz and a sneaky feature in blockbuster film 'The Great Gatsby', her ambition is infectious! Settle in with a cup of tea and prepare to be inspired.
What does a typical week look like for Lyndell Harbeck?
These days I no longer perform professionally, but my life is still as varied as it ever was! I split my time between teaching fitness and dance classes (the passion never dies) and working in marketing! I work for a business called ‘Marketing Movement’ and also work for my own business, ‘CopyCat’. When I’m not working, I explore the great outdoors with my husband, Tommi, completely spoil my dog, Audrey, hang out with friends and play my guitar.
You've had such a colourful career so far, how did it all kick off? I began dancing when I was two or three years’ old, purely because my sister did and I had to do everything she did. As I grew up, my sister hung up her dancing shoes and I continued. My love for performing grew and I began to sing and act. I went to full time performance college ‘Ed5 International’ in Sydney when I finished high school and got my first international contract that year. I moved to Japan a month after I graduated at 18 years’ of age. From then it just continued, my passion grew and the wheel of the entertainment industry turned around and around! What has been the highlight of your career so far?
To be honest, I have quite a few highlights. It sounds conceited, I guess – but I’ve been lucky enough to work with some phenomenal choreographers, fellow performers and be exposed to some wonderful experiences. A few of my favourites would be working with Amé Delves, she has always been a creative inspiration for me; William Forsythe, who taught me since I was 13 years old. I toured with ‘Long Way To The Top’ around Australia and did a 12-month contract with the XXXX Angels, both having him as a choreographer and his style is so unique and energetic. I’ve travelled to Malta and Belize to perform for the U.K Navy & I also had the opportunity to be a featured dancer in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ which was incredible. Funnily enough, I also rehearsed an additional routine with fellow dancer, Kirby and actor, Tobey Maguire for a solid week but it was later cut from the film. It was a good 6 months’ of filming for around 10 minutes of ‘party scene’ in the film, which shows how much work goes into these big productions.
And the nitty gritty? What is it about showbiz that you have found to be really challenging?
I found the most challenging part of the industry to be networking. I always did. Don’t get me wrong, you can go anywhere with talent – and the most booked performers are often the most talented (I am the biggest supporter of my friends still performing in the industry). But where I struggled most was being seen with the right people, up keeping a presence in the industry and making sure I was constantly networking. It let me down in some ways, but in others I don’t regret it. I never compromised who I was and still had a wonderful career.
Amongst it all, you are also an amazing singer! Is that a talent that runs in the family? Thank you. My mum has a nice voice, but absolutely no confidence or desire to sing in front of people – just in the shower. My Grandma also had a sweet voice, I still remember her singing the ‘chattanooga choo choo’ around her house. I’ve been singing since I was 13 (when I gave up piano lessons due to the level of homework haha) so I’ve been practicing for a while now.
Who are the musicians/artists/creatives that inspire you the most? I am inspired by anyone who brings something different to the table, or who evokes emotion within myself. The list is gigantic and one I find hard to pick from when asked this question. I’ll give it a go though… I adore Billy Joel for his diversity and lyrics, Kareen Kalush from Lorisity (who I recently worked for with my business, ‘CopyCat) for her skill and imagination and to be honest I admire Taylor Swift for her endless way of reinventing herself and finding new ways to push the boundaries.
Through so many ups and downs in life, do you lead with your head or your heart?
Sounds cliché, but I try and aim for a 50/50 split. Keyword = try. I am an emotional person and therefore very heart driven, but in the same breath I do feel I am somewhat logical. I’m definitely a different person now, at 30 than I was at 20, that’s for sure.
What are your favourite things to do on a day off?
I am trying to focus more energy on learning the guitar at the moment, so practicing would definitely be on the agenda. I also love to treat myself to a good breakky at a new (or old favourite) café. I’ll more often than not take my dog for a good run and in a perfect world, if my husband is home, I will indulge in some of his amazing cooking and a big glass of wine.
For you personally, what are the most important values in life to live by?
I am a firm believer in life being yours — and not to do things purely because you feel you ‘should’ or feeling pressured by the masses to follow a certain path or timeline. I’ve lived in Japan, the U.K, backpacked around the world for 9 months and have so much more I want to do and see. I know so many friends who say things like “Oh I wish I could do that” or “I should do something like that”, watching others live their dream life and just palming it off as impossible. But the truth is, if you plan and work hard, you can honestly do anything you want (within reason, of course), and I plan on doing that for the rest of my life.
You’re stuck on a deserted island, you can only choose three things to take with you. What do you choose?
Not a thing but my husband. He is a man of the earth and would literally help me stay alive. Oh, and I love him. Haha. Second would have to be my dog, Audrey – couldn’t leave her behind. Third thing would be… my guitar.
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? A friend once told me that there is no such thing as “the right time”, and if you sit there waiting for the right time you will end up waiting forever. Sometimes you just need to leap, and everything will fall into place. I treasure that advice and that friend.
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