It was extraordinary! I did my secondment placement in 1996 with Bangarra Dance Theatre whilst doing my four-year Diploma in Dance. To be accepted into one of the world's leading dance companies as a secondee was overwhelming, exciting and extremely challenging.

I experienced first hand a master of his craft - Stephen Page; I worked alongside dancers of the highest calibre which included Russell Page and songman Djakapurra Munyarryun.

Stephen Page's new work Fish was being created. Although I was a dance student, I was included in this highly acclaimed Bangarra production right through the creative process and rehearsals, to the world premiere at Enmore Theatre - I even went on tour to Canberra and Brisbane.

After my secondment with Bangarra, I completed my Diploma in Dance and secured the lead role as an actress in A Midsummer Nights Dream as part of 'The Festival of the Dreaming', Sydney Olympics Festival, at the Sydney Theatre Company. Stephen Page watched the show and said to me "You have a decision to make - pursue dance or acting."

He suggested acting. I took his advice and have had an amazing career as an actor for the past 20 years.

Besides my two beautiful children, dance and acting are my deepest loves. For me dance and acting give me unconditional, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual love and self worth. They make me feel complete.

Tessa Rose