Graeme Purcell, finalist in the 2008 “So You Think You Can Dance” season, puts his dancing and singing career on hold as he leaves to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will serve for two years in the Wellington, New Zealand Mission beginning January 14th.
Graeme started singing as a youth at church and began technical dance training at the age of twelve. After a fulltime acting and musical course, he took to the stage and enjoys the spotlight there, dancing for stars such as Duffy, Sam Sparro, Jessica Mauboy, and Amy Pearson. His light will shine in another venue as he teaches soul searchers about Christ.
“In no way do I feel I am ‘giving up’ my career because my passion for the industry will never die. I see my two years of service being an extension of my learning and growing as a young individual. The people that I can help, the lives that I can change will collectively shape the artist and performer that I want to be.”
Thomas S. Monson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, counsels the youth of the church, “Yours is the privilege to be, not spectators, but participants on the stage of service to others.” Graeme shows he can be on the stage of service as well.
Recently he entertained thousands at a National Young Single Adults talent night in Brisbane and gave service cleaning and raking the Dutton Park Cemetery. “Cleaning the cemetery was a great way for me to get involved with the community and to serve our beautiful nation”, he stated.
“Going on a mission is an opportunity to step away from my personal needs and focus on my ability to give and participate in unselfish service. I could easily stay home, entertain people and be comfortable riding the success waves of my career, but isn’t life much more than that? Isn’t it about sharing that true joy and happiness that you feel? Isn’t it the ultimate goal in life to create peace and unity? The truthfulness of the Church is the rock and foundation of my existence, of my heart, of me. I want to share this truth and this feeling.”
