Innholdsfortegnelse for April-May-June 2025 i Dance Australia

Success is the line of preparation, meeting the line of opportunity. I enjoyed a blessed career. Due to luck, timing, and a body that seemed to absorb – for some time – all manner of suffering I inflicted upon it, I was able to remain fully employed, and relatively injury free until I was in my early 40’s. After that time, with my dancing shoes proverbially hung on the wall, I limped on, continuing as an actor in TV for another few years. I didn’t audition a lot when I was young. I vaguely recall unsuccessful auditions for NIDA, and for the musical Cats while in my late teens. Yet soon after, I auditioned and was accepted into The Australian Ballet School, which led into The Australian Ballet and later…

FROM dancer to dancer, let’s be real. Audition season is the most emotionally stressful time of a young dancer’s life, and you’re sure to come out with some fresh emotional wounds, if not some re-opened ones. It’s not all doom and gloom, as I am a huge proponent of taking every experience as an opportunity for growth and becoming! Let’s chat about it. When you enter an audition season, there are often big expectations, high stakes, and a lot of pressure, internally or externally. You may feel a huge desire and pressure to succeed, to just get SOMETHING, to prove that you can do it, and to rekindle some faith and passion you have for dance. That is all completely normal. However, this doesn’t do good things for our mind,…

French Ballet Returns BALLET Preljocaj’s avant-garde “Swan Lake” will grace QPAC’s 40th anniversary from May 31 to June 7, 2025. This exclusive Australian season, part of the QPAC International Series, features Angelin Preljocaj’s contemporary twist on the classic. The company presents a dystopian “Swan Lake,” where corporate greed clashes with environmental purity. Siegfried, a developer’s son, and Odette, an eco-warrior, battle against the industrialist Rothbart. The production blends Tchaikovsky’s music with modern house, performed live by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. With striking visuals and innovative choreography, this “Swan Lake” promises a masterclass in contemporary dance for QPAC’s milestone celebration. Dancenorth 40 years DANCENORTH Australia marks its 40th anniversary with a surge of support for dance. In 2025, they will double their free Secondment Program, training over 50 young dancers. The…

ABLAZE DANCE ACADEMY Adamstown, NSW Courses: Catering to dancers preparing for professional careers in Classical Ballet, Contemporary and the Commercial/Performing Arts Industry. Bergen Lavelle Classical Coaching & Commercial Elite Performance Full-time and Part-time Courses. Audition: Private and confidential auditions available via appointment throughout the year. Online submissions available upon request. www.ablazedanceacademy. com.au THE ACADEMY AUSTRALIA Tuggerah, NSW Courses: After-School Program (Ages 2-19); Part-Time Commercial Program; Transitional Classical/ Contemporary Program (Ages 10 -13) Full-Time Classical/ Contemporary Course (Ages 13+): optional Nationally Recognised Qualifications in Dance, offered by Empowerdance Pty Ltd Audition Information: Private or In-Class Available throughout the year by appointment only. Video Auditions Accepted. Placement Available Year-Round. theacademyaustralia.com.au ALEGRIA DANCE STUDIOS Tempe, NSW Course: Full Time Classical Ballet Course (Contemporary, Jazz & Spanish included) Audition by private arrangement throughout the…

FOR Brooke and Lachlan Monaghan, dance was a shared passion from a young age. Now both professionals, dance has taken them on different journeys far from Australian shores. Yet while each have busy schedules and are often continents apart, they are still immensely supportive of each other both as peers and performers. Brooke and Lachlan recently made time to speak with Dance Australia for this interview on one of those rare catch ups – which on this occasion was in the UK where Lachlan lives and works as a Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. As Brooke cruises the ocean with Celebrity Cruises – where she is currently a Dance Captain - home is wherever and whenever they are able to gather together under the same roof. Sharing birthdays and…

WE’VE all heard the tales: the dancer who missed their flight, the forgotten paperwork, the frantic scramble for a last-minute class. Auditioning is a high-stakes game, and when travel is involved, the stakes skyrocket. While we often focus on perfecting our technique, the logistical maze of traveling for auditions can make or break your chances. Let’s delve into the often-neglected practicalities of travelling for auditions. Because, let’s face it, a flawless grand jeté is less impressive when you’re battling jet lag and lost luggage. “The mental preparation for an audition begins long before you step into the room,” says Hilary Kaplan, Principal of Alegria Dance Studios. “And when travel is involved, that preparation needs to be meticulous. It’s not just about packing your ballet shoes; it’s about packing your peace…

THE studios of Sydney Dance Company resonate with the echoes of countless artistic journeys. For five new dancers, Mathilda Ballantyne, Mali Comlekci, Sonrisa Hubbard, Eka Perunicic, and Sam Winkler, that resonance has become their reality. Joining such a prestigious ensemble is a dream, and their experiences, particularly in Rafael Bonachela’s intimate work, Somos, offer a glimpse into the transformative power of dance and the unique challenges and triumphs of stepping into a new artistic chapter. For Mathilda Ballantyne, the sheer depth of the past was palpable from day one. “As I passed the signed posters displayed along the hallway walls, each one a snapshot of work spanning years of artistic journey, I was overwhelmed by how special it felt to be surrounded by it all—to walk the same halls as…

“Auditions are not a time to be shy. They are an opportunity to showcase all that you have learnt, all that you have been working on behind closed doors. Be brave and present the very best version of you! Try not to be apologetic and stand back— you may never have this opportunity again. Take it and run with it, knowing that all the practice, the hard work and the resilience brings you to this very moment. Show your true self and be proud.” OLIVIA BELL, FORMER PRINCIPAL ARTIST, THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET “When auditioning, remember that directors are looking for dancers who will expand the depth and artistry within their company and those they can nurture. Be open, curious, and engaged in classes and conversations. Don’t be afraid to show…

LET’S rewind to June/July 2014, when Dance Australia, under Karen Van Ulzen’s editorship, delivered an issue that was a time capsule of the dance world then. Queensland Ballet’s ambitious Romeo and Juliet, helmed by Li Cunxin, took center stage. Denise Richardson’s review painted a vivid picture of the grand production, featuring guest star Tamara Rojo and a cast of over 70, all set to Prokofiev’s score. As ever, this issue wasn’t just about one production. It also shone a spotlight on the vibrant Australian dance scene. Geraldine Higginson’s coverage of the 2014 Australian Dance Awards at the Sydney Opera House celebrated the diversity of talent, from contemporary innovation to lifetime achievement. Gailene Stock AM CBE’s posthumous Hall of Fame induction was a poignant moment, while winners like Dalisa Pigram underscored…