Leigh Rowles (Head of Student Training) and I have recently returned from New York where we participated as judges for this year’s Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). This competition celebrated its 10th season and has grown into a well known international event; in fact it is the largest international competition for dance students in the world. Among the participants there were students from across the United States, as well as Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, China, Portugal, Romania Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and Britain.

Apart from the YAGP gala on the last evening, Leigh and I were privileged to be present at a special gala to celebrate the life and 80th birthday of the great Russian pedagogue, Peter Pestov. This wonderful evening paid tribute to Mr Pestov’s legacy, by gathering together some of his most acclaimed students, who are today, international stars.

During World War Two, a contingent of the Kirov Ballet was evacuated from St Petersburg to Perm, where, by necessity, another academy was established. Peter Pestov followed, to study with a legendry faculty, including Baryshnikov’s teacher the great Alexander Pushkin. He then embarked upon a distinguished tenure of over three decades at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy before moving to Stuttgatt in 1996, where he teaches the graduate year students at the John Cranko School, the school of Stuttgart Ballet.

As part of the gala performance we saw Mr Pestov’s graduate male class, where the culmination of years of sequential Vaganova training was seen to perfection: the musicality, coordination, articulation and level of difficulty were extraordinary – a wonderfully talented group of young men, who received a standing ovation!

In early April we had a visit from Beth Krasna, President of the Prix de Lausanne Finance Committee. I include part of the letter she wrote on her return to Switzerland.

I had a wonderful visit and I was happy to see our young prize-winner in her usual environment. She really shines - but so do several others - a tribute to the care and teaching you all give them. Many thanks for spending time with me. I had a wonderful visit – your school is truly outstanding!
 

Marilyn Rowe OBE
Director
 

School's Refurbishment Officially Launched

Attended by the Minister for the Arts, the Honorable Peter Garrett AM MP, Department Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts (DEWHA) and distinguished guests, the official launch of the Refurbishment Project was held on Wednesday 1 April. The OH&S project funded by DEWHA has provided our students with a centralised student common room, refurbished change rooms, kinetic education studio, specialist coaching studio, and a new dance studio. Staff members have gained open plan work stations with wonderful natural light, a reception area, larger change rooms, staff common room and additional offices. The refurbishment of our facilities has given the whole School community an energised feeling. Students are benefiting from less cramped conditions, improved computer access and a safe, clean environment - the new and updated training conditions have been well received by teaching staff.

The launch also provided the opportunity to recognise the School’s 45th birthday and to launch the new visual identity. Over the past twelve months, the School has undergone much change, expanding its Training Programme, adding the Teacher Training Department, improving Community Access, and undertaking the OH&S Project. These changes have significantly altered the scale and scope of operations at the School and, in order for key stakeholders to understand the impact, the Board and Management Team felt a review of the School’s communications and branding strategy was necessary. Over the past six months, the School has worked with Collier and Associates, strategic designers, with one of the most visible outcomes of the project being the development of a new logo. The icon supports and reflects the School’s brand values, positioning, and vision 'to honour the past, achieve in the present, and create the future'. It is anticipated that the changeover from old to new will become effective during June. Behind the scenes, the new-look website is also progressing and should be ready to ‘go live’ in July. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved in the creation and implementation of the School’s visual identity. 

Sandra Ball
General Manager

As part of the Preliminary Functional Brief currently being prepared for the School's new student residence, the School is consulting with the most prestigious academic and dance institutions around the world. Recently Lucinda Sharp (Head of Student Health & Welfare) and I visited Canada’s National Ballet School and their student residence for what was a most valuable trip. Laden with an extensive list of questions, Lucinda and I spent two wonderful days at the school following a schedule designed by the Director of Student Life and Head of Student Residence in conjunction with Mavis Staines, NBS Artistic Director. The information gained and the rapport developed with staff has been invaluable. We have established a close relationship with Canada’s National Ballet School and intend to continue with this consultation regarding residential issues. The Canadian experience is particularly relevant to our School due to strong similarities in culture, geography, economic climate, social norms, student population and holistic approach to dance education. Information from this recent research has directly informed the architectural and operational plans for The Australian Ballet School’s residence and reiterated that staffing of a residence is one of the most essential components in the achievement of world’s best practice in duty of care and the key to the emotional and cognitive developmental needs of young adolescents. We look forward to updating you as this project unfolds.

Sandra Ball
General Manager
 

This year marks the 30th year of service at The Australian Ballet School for much loved staff member Christine Howard. We asked Christine all about her time at the School...

When did you first become involved with The Australian Ballet School?
I was accepted into The Australian Ballet School in 1969 as a ‘wide eyed’ 16 year old, prepared to work towards a dance career and explore the variety of challenges the School would certainly provide. I had completed year 11 at MLC and had not yet experienced the advantages of full-time training, as many of my class mates had.

What is your role now at the School?
I direct the Character syllabus from Level 1 – 6. I also assist in the co-ordination of student events such as the Graduation Ceremony/Swimming Carnival/Community service activities and annual Summer School. I co-ordinate the School Friends membership programme and assist in the co-ordination of production needs (props & costumes). I'm also a member of the School's Administrative team.

What does a typical day involve?
- Our refurbishment and new reception identity has given me the opportunity to be one of the faces of the School, hence daily student contact and message taking – typical reception tasks
- Co-ordinating with management in meetings, interviews, staff & student needs
- Preparing for classes that I will be taking during the day
- Encouraging the Level 8s to take responsibility in areas such as fundraising, participation in School charity drives, and preparation of their graduation and formal
- Ensuring that the safety and care of our School family is maintained

What is the most challenging part of working with students?
Having sufficient time to see, listen and respond to all students needs equally, to best underpin and support the implementation of the philosophy of the School. The acknowledgement of the individual and the differing journeys they take to reach their goals.

When did you first become interested in dance?
The interest was initiated by my mothers ‘love’ of ballet and her own experiences in dance, she took me to ballet lessons at 5 years of age with Audrey Nicholls and Eve King (Borovansky leading Soloists/Principals). Now Audrey and I will share the stage in Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker (Melbourne Season) dancing the roles of ‘Aging Russian Emigrees' – reflecting on their youth in ballet.

What are some of the highlights of your time with the School so far?
Having the opportunity to observe the development of our wonderful dancers over 30 years, recognising the achievements of so many now carving out celebrated careers in Directorship, Choreography, Design, Teaching, and Administration. Being part of the evolution and growth of the School itself. Performing with collegues both with the School and The Australian Ballet. Working with such talented, dedicated, professional staff embracing the requirements of training with enthusiasm and purpose. And having the opportunity of representing the School at an International Dance Seminar – Kiev 2005.

What do you like most about your job?
The connection I have with the students and the relationship I respect with my collegues.

Christine Howard
School Administration Coordinator

This year, Up Close brings together popular programmes such as our Open Masterclasses, Summer School and Skills Sharing, extending the opportunities for dance students and teachers to experience the world class training of The Australian Ballet School. Open Masterclasses have already been held in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide and are scheduled to take place in Brisbane on Monday 28 September. Thus far, Open Masterclass students have been fortunate to have been taught by a range of our staff members including myself, Leigh Rowles, Slava Zalomski, Irina Konstinova and Sergey Konstantinov as well as Vocational Graduate Certificate in Elite Ballet Instruction participants Lynette Wills, Kismet Bourne and Robert Curran. There has been a very positive response from students and it was fantastic to have several former graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Dance who are now teaching, supporting the School through the attendance of their students at the Open Masterclasses.

The first Skills Sharing (formally Information Sharing) session of the year was welcomed in Sydney, with twenty five dance teachers and health professionals attending a one day workshop which focused on “Active warm up and core control for the dancer”. The workshop was led by myself and Exercise Physiologist, Liz Hewett and provided participants with the opportunity for hands-on experience coupled with discussion and debate. Currently sessions are scheduled for Melbourne (9 August) and Brisbane (27 September) with applications still being accepted for Perth, Adelaide (dates to be advised), Melbourne and Brisbane.

For further information and to download the Up Close booklet and application form, please click here.

Mark Annear
Head of Teacher Training & Community Access
 

Level 3 Intensive Training Session
In April the studios of The Australian Ballet School were brimming with activity when 120 students from the Interstate/International Training Programme (ITP) and our own Melbourne After-School students, attended our annual Level 3 Intensive Training Session. Students came from all Australian states, New Zealand and Japan, participating in four full days of comprehensive training. This is an event that impacts greatly on the progress of our students and is an undertaking that they anticipate with excitement. Thirteen year-old Sophie, from Sydney, said “I really enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about technique”. A common factor that is always appreciated by many ITPs during their training experience, is the clear instruction and explanation of correction that is given by our teaching staff. They also enjoy benefitting from the unique variety of training resources offered by the School.

Personal Visits
Students in the Interstate/International Training Programme (ITP) are also offered the unique and privileged opportunity of training at the School outside Intensive Training Sessions, at virtually any time throughout the year, and as often (or as little) as is convenient for them. In these Personal Visits, ITP students join other ABS students and participate in the daily training programme. This flexibile opportunity is available to all ITP students, providing further opportunity to take advantage of our professional training, and experience the School’s culture at a time that best suits the busy lives of their families. Many students are both nervous and excited when they first visit the School, but all new ITPs are given a personal orientation session, are welcomed and cared for by their Melbourne peers, and soon feel comfortable and part of our ABS family unit. For experienced ITP students, Personal Visits provide happy reacquaintance with their ABS friends and vice versa. It is a common discovery for ITP students, that ABS classes provide very different challenges to those in their local home schools, and they relish the opportunity, striving to meet the many new demands that are presented in the ABS class structure, along with the high expectations of our staff. Personal Visits are an effective way for ITP students to immerse themselves in the culture of The Australian Ballet School, and directly experience the home of The Australian Ballet.

Leigh Rowles
Head of Student Training
 

School Friends form an important part of The Australian Ballet School community and during 2009 we hope to inject fresh energy into the programme, to create more opportunities for participation and to demonstrate our commitment to communication with our valued members.

Being a School Friends member brings the following benefits:
1. Membership card - Your School Friends membership card will provide you with exclusive access to School Friends events
2. Classical class viewing opportunities - School Friends are invited to come into the studio and observe full-time students in their morning classical class. Dates have been scheduled in June, August and October. The schedule and booking form will be mailed to members, at which time early booking is recommended.
3. E-Newsletter - The E-Newsletter is a new, bi-monthly electronic publication containing the latest School news and updates.
4. Priority booking for School performances and events - School Friends are always notified of upcoming performances and able to book tickets before they become available to the public.

If you are interested in becoming a School Friends member please contact Christine Howard either via phone on 03 9669 2807, or email choward@australianballetschool.com.au. We look forward to establishing a vibrant, rewarding connection with the wider community of The Australian Ballet School and encourage you to consider this as a worthwhile membership.

Christine Howard
School Friends Co-ordinator

Applications for our National Audition Tour 2009 have been flowing in since April with as many as 70 applications to process a day! Each year our staff conduct auditions in major Australian cities, looking for fresh, young dancers to train with The Australian Ballet School. This year the National Audition Tour will travel to Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Auditions are open to all boys and girls aged 9 and above with a dream to create a future in dance. The audition process consists of an abbreviated class and screening session providing applicants with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and potential for The Australian Ballet School’s Vocational Training Programme. Applicants are able to audition for the Interstate/International Training Programme, the After School Programme (Melbourne) or the Full-Time Programme (Melbourne), depending on their age and location.
For further information about the School’s Training Programme, audition dates, or to download an application form, please click here.

Marijke Franken
Registrar & International Student Co-ordinator

Students of The Australian Ballet School's Full-Time Programme enjoyed taking off their ballet shoes recently, swapping them for facepaint and swimming costumes as part of the School's annual Swimming Carnival. Held at Caulfield Grammar's swimming pool, the carnival prooved as always to be a very lively event, with students and staff joining forces in the house competition. Coe house ultimately took away first prize, and will proudly hold onto the house champions trophy until next year's battle.    

Level 6, 7 and 8 students enjoyed peforming as part of the Arts Centre's and Dandenong Drum Theatre's Morning Melodies series' on 19 and 21 May, delighting Hamer Hall and Drum Theatre audiences. Students presented four exhilarating works, including Act II from the classic Swan Lake, Leigh Rowles’ lively new piece, Matya’s Dance, Tim Harbour’s beautiful new Songs of Light, and Mark Annear’s joyous Graduation Waltz. Congratulations to all staff and students involved for a terrific programme.

Mark Annear was again The Australian Ballet School representative for the Alana Haines Australasian Awards, a biannual event held in Auckland during April. Mark was an adjudicator for the Senior Awards alongside Gailene Stock, Director of the Royal Ballet School and Sir John Trimmer, Leading Artist Royal New Zealand Ballet Company. Eighty-eight junior (11-13 years) and one hundred and twenty-seven senior (13-31 years) students from Australia and New Zealand competed for prize money and training scholarships. Mark awarded three scholarships to The Australian Ballet School. Lucas Brinin (13) and Douglas Stewart (15) from Queensland were awarded scholarships to undertake two weeks of full-time training at the School and New Zealand student Phebe Murison (13) was awarded a scholarship to attend the 2010 Summer School.
 

The next lot of Open Masterclasses on the School's calendar will be held in Brisbane on Monday 28 September. Open Masterclasses give students aged 9-17 years the exclusive opportunity to work with some of Australia's leading teachers and experience the high level of expertise of Australia's premier dance training organisation. Please click here for more information or to download a booking form.  

Graduating students of The Australian Ballet School will join with guest artists from The Australian Ballet on the Dancers Company tour of regional Australia this July and August. For 5 weeks students will have the opportunity to experience life as a part of a performing company on tour, visiting Ballarat, Frankston, Sale, Geelong, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns, Alice Springs, and Darwin. For further information and bookings contact The Australian Ballet.

Next E-Newsletter...coming July 2009. 

Our friends at the Arts Centre are offering 1 lucky reader of The Australian Ballet School's E-Newsletter the chance to win a pair of tickets to The National Ballet of China's Raise the Red Lantern, showing in Melbourne during August.

Raise the Red Lantern
Love, loyalty, jealousy and intrigue…

With over 50 dancers, Peking Opera singers, rich period sets and lavish costumes – Raise the Red Lantern by the National Ballet of China is the one production to ignite your senses this winter.

Raise the Red Lantern was a film which stunned the cinematic world in 1991 with its astonishing depiction of a Chinese feudal world in which a young woman is forced against her will to become the concubine of an old lord – a story based on an epic novel by Su Tong. The director of the film worked closely with the choreographers in subsequently translating this tragic story into an astounding ballet, created especially for The National Ballet of China.

To enter the prize draw to win 2 tickets to Raise the Red Lantern, email redlantern@theartscentre.com.au between 10am - 12pm on Monday 1 June

the Arts Centre presents
Raise the Red Lantern

The National Ballet of China
3 – 9 August
the Arts Centre, State Theatre
Wed – Sun 8pm, Sat & Sun 2pm

TICKETS $49 - $89 (Premium & Group prices also available)
TO BOOK www.theartscentre.com.au, 1300136 166, the Arts Centre Box Office or Ticketmaster 

Please note: this performance contains adult themes.
 

If you have recieved this E-Newsletter from a friend and would like to subscribe to it yourself, please email communications@australianballetschool.com.au with 'Subscribe' in the subject line. Alternatively if you'd prefer not to receive this E-Newsletter please email communications@australianballetschool.com.au with 'Unsubscribe' in the subject line.