POULSBO — Wyatt Skelley discovered his passion early in life. He was meant for a stage.

Dancing, acting, modeling; if there’s a stage, Wyatt can handle it.

“When I was little, I always used to dance around the house, and I told mom I wanted to take dancing classes,” Wyatt said. “I loved it so much, I just wanted to be a dancer.”

The 11-year-old said he has been dancing for five years. Hip hop is his favorite form.

“I like the way I can express my feelings (through hip hop),” Wyatt said. “It just makes me feel really happy.”

It wasn’t just dancing. Acting and modeling followed as he got connected with Seattle Talent, an agency for young actors, dancers and singers.

“I started taking more acting classes and learning how to really act,” Wyatt said. “It’s really fun because I can pretend to be what I am not. I feel like it’s my passion.”

The efforts of young Wyatt added up to a trip to Los Angeles in January, where he attended the International Modeling and Talent Association’s annual competition. The association is well-known as a prime source for the entertainment industry’s top talent. A long list of celebrities were discovered at past association events, such as Katie Holmes, Ashton Kutcher, Aaron Paul, Elijah Wood, and Brandon Routh, to name a few.

“They do a huge event every six months one in New York and one in LA,” said Lisa Skelley, Wyatt’s mom. “They bring together agents and managers and talent scouts. It’s by invitation only, and you get seen by a couple hundred people instead of sending a resume out and seeing one person at a time.”

Wyatt auditioned and earned his invite. His appearance at the International Modeling and Talent Association proved favorable.

“Basically, he won 44 awards and trophies, and he won the most prestigious which is ‘Most Sought After Male Talent,’” Skelley said. “He got 44 callbacks.”

He also came away with the association’s title of Actor of the Year. He placed in every category he competed in and finished near the top models listed for Model of the Year.

“It made me feel really good and more confident about myself,” Wyatt said.

Wyatt now spends his days in Los Angeles in the wake of his competition success.

“I’m auditioning for TV shows and going to acting classes, dancing classes, stuff like that,” Wyatt said. “And getting ready in case they call me for a TV show.”