Australian Ballet School
Encyclopedia
The Australian Ballet School was founded in 1964 as the primary training facility for The Australian Ballet
by Dame Margaret Scott
. It is part of the Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct
, Southbank
in Melbourne
, Victoria
. It is a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence.
Offered are:
The preliminary auditions involve a short physical examination, to evaluate if they are physically sutiable for a career in classical ballet, and a classical ballet class, modified so the auditionees can demonstrate natural coordination and musicality. Successful applicants for the After School Program and Interstate/International Training Program are notified in the weeks following these local auditions. For the Full-Time Program, a National Finals week is held in Melbourne
. This is an intensive audition process. The finalists spend three days being examined by the School's Dance Teachers, Doctor and Physiotherapists to determine their suitability for full-time study and a career in classical ballet. Interstate or International students may initially audition by video for the Full-Time Program. If successful, they will then be asked to audition in Melbourne during the National Finals week. Successful candidates are notified in the fortnight following the National Finals.
The audition for the Full-Time Program involves a simple class where the instructions set by an Australian Ballet School Official are easy to understand and follow. If on the day they are found to be suitable, they are then invited to spend three days of examination through classes. It is then when the school decides whether they are willing to offer the auditionee a place at the school.
Australian Ballet Company
The Australian Ballet is the largest classical ballet company in Australia. It was founded by J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd. and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1962, with the English ballerina Dame Peggy van Praagh as founding artistic director...
by Dame Margaret Scott
Margaret Scott (dancer)
Dame Catherine Margaret Mary Scott, AC, DBE , best known as Margaret Scott, arrived in Australia in 1947 on tour with the Ballet Rambert and stayed there. She danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet, appointed a principal dancer in 1941, and Ballet Rambert as a principal from 1943 to 1948...
. It is part of the Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct
Melbourne Arts Precinct
The Melbourne Arts Precinct is a series of galleries, performing arts venues and spaces in Melbourne, Victoria, in Australia. The precinct is situated less than 1 km from the Melbourne city centre in Southbank and is centred around, and near, St Kilda Road...
, Southbank
Southbank, Victoria
Southbank is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located direct south of the Yarra River opposite Melbourne's Hoddle Grid. The northernmost area is considered part of the Central Business District and Central Activities District of the city. Its Local Government Area are the...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. It is a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence.
About the school
The Australian Ballet Company draws 95% of its dancers from the School and many graduates dance as principals and soloists around the world.Offered are:
- an eight year course from age ten for gifted students
- After School Program (Levels 1-3), for students between 10 and 13 years of age. Classes take place after school hours and on Saturdays.
- Interstate/International Training (levels 1-4), for students between 8 and 14 years of age who are gifted in dance but live interstate or internationally. There are only limited spots in level four for gifted students that are not yet ready to leave home.
- Full-Time Program (Levels 4-8), for students between 13 and 19 years of age. Level 4 is take in conjunction with academic year 9 at Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School-VCASS (across the road from the Australian Ballet Centre). Half the day consists of dance classes and the other half consists of academic classes, Monday to Friday. Half a day of dance classes on Saturday.
Audition process
Once a year, The Australian Ballet School conducts preliminary auditions for both the After School Program (students aged 10–13 years), Interstate Training Program (students aged 8–14) and the Full-Time Program (students aged from 13 years) in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth.The preliminary auditions involve a short physical examination, to evaluate if they are physically sutiable for a career in classical ballet, and a classical ballet class, modified so the auditionees can demonstrate natural coordination and musicality. Successful applicants for the After School Program and Interstate/International Training Program are notified in the weeks following these local auditions. For the Full-Time Program, a National Finals week is held in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. This is an intensive audition process. The finalists spend three days being examined by the School's Dance Teachers, Doctor and Physiotherapists to determine their suitability for full-time study and a career in classical ballet. Interstate or International students may initially audition by video for the Full-Time Program. If successful, they will then be asked to audition in Melbourne during the National Finals week. Successful candidates are notified in the fortnight following the National Finals.
The audition for the Full-Time Program involves a simple class where the instructions set by an Australian Ballet School Official are easy to understand and follow. If on the day they are found to be suitable, they are then invited to spend three days of examination through classes. It is then when the school decides whether they are willing to offer the auditionee a place at the school.
The Dancers Company
The Dancers Company was set up in 1980 as an integrated part of The Australian Ballet under the direction of the Associate Artistic Director. Students from the Graduate Year (Level 8) that meet the required dance standard, are selected to perform with the Company throughout regional Australia.Directors
- Dame Margaret ScottMargaret Scott (dancer)Dame Catherine Margaret Mary Scott, AC, DBE , best known as Margaret Scott, arrived in Australia in 1947 on tour with the Ballet Rambert and stayed there. She danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet, appointed a principal dancer in 1941, and Ballet Rambert as a principal from 1943 to 1948...
DBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1964–1990) - Gailene Stock AMOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1990–1998) - Marilyn RoweMarilyn RoweMarilyn Rowe OBE is the first graduate of the Australian Ballet School to be appointed its director, in 1999.-Dancing career:...
OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1998–present)
Notable alumni
- Stephen BaynesStephen BaynesStephen Baynes has been Resident Choreographer with The Australian Ballet since 1995. He trained with Joanne Priest and graduated from The Australian Ballet School in 1975...
- Ann BurbrookAnn BurbrookAnn Burbrook, sometimes credited as Annie Burbrook, Ann Burbrook, sometimes credited as Annie Burbrook, Ann Burbrook, sometimes credited as Annie Burbrook, (born 23 November 1965 in Jesselton, Sabah, Malaysia, is an Australian actress.Burbrook trained at the Australian Ballet School and the WA...
- Kyle DaveyKyle DaveyKyle Davey is an award winning professional ballet dancer, Choreographer and occasional model, who was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. He began his professional ballet training with The Queensland Dance School of Excellence and then later The Australian Ballet School...
- Christina DavisChristina DavisChristina Davis was a contestant on the first season of Big Brother Australia .-Early life:Christina Davis was born in North Sydney, NSW Australia. She went to High School at The McDonald College of Performing Arts in Strathfield...
- Beverly Jane FryBeverly Jane FryBeverly Jane Fry is an Australian ballerina.Beverly Jane Fry trained with Australian Prima Ballerina, Kathleen Gorham and then continued her studies at both the Stuttgart Ballet School and the Australian Ballet School. She joined the London Festival Ballet now the English National Ballet after...
- Kip GamblinKip Gamblin-Career:Gamblin trained as a ballet dancer at the The McDonald College of Performing Arts, Sydney and completed his training at the Australian Ballet School, Melbourne. He performed with the Australian Ballet, the West Australian Ballet and the Sydney Dance Company between 1994 and 2002, and had...
- Jason GardinerJason Gardiner-Theatre:*1987- Cats – Australian Cast - Theatre Royal Sydney*1988- 42nd Street – Original Australian Cast – Her Majesty’s Theatre*1991- West Side Story – USA National Tour – Dance Captain*1992- Kizmet – Miami – Jackie Gleeson Theatre USA...
- Margaret IllmannMargaret IllmannMargaret L. Illmann is an Australian prima ballerina with an international career.Born in Australia, she moved to Canada to work with the National Ballet of Canada. From there her career lead her to all mayor stages in the world...
- Janet KarinJanet KarinJanet Karin OAM was born in Perth, Australia in 1938. She became one of Australia's leading dancers in 1956, and has danced with the Victorian Ballet Guild, Borovansky Ballet, and was a founding member of The Australian Ballet...
- Goh Soo KhimGoh Soo KhimGoh Soo Khim is a Singaporean ballerina and a highly respected doyen in Singapore’s dance scene. She is also the co-founder / Artistic Director of Singapore Dance Theatre, as well as being the elder sister of late ballet maestro Goh Choo San...
- Tracy LiTracy LiTracy Li born 1972, in Hong Kong, is a South African ballet dancer. She trained at The Christine Liao School of Ballet before receiving a scholarship from The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club to study at the Australian Ballet School. At age 16, she joined the Hong Kong Ballet Company, before she left...
- David McAllister, AMOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
- John MeehanJohn Meehan (dancer)John Meehan is an Australian dancer and ballet director, born 1950. He was dancer & ballet director. He studied at the Australian Ballet School, joined the Australian Ballet in 1970 and was promoted to principal dancer in 1974, creating roles in several works, including Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow...
- Graeme MurphyGraeme MurphyGraeme Murphy is an Australian dance choreographer. Together with his fellow dancer Janet Vernon, he has guided Sydney Dance Company to become one of Australia's most successful and well-known dance companies....
, AMOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"... - Gideon ObarzanekGideon ObarzanekGideon Obarzanek is an Australian choreographer and the Artistic Director of Melbourne, Australia based contemporary dance company Chunky Move which he formed in 1995, in collaboration with Garry Stewart....
- Emilie de RavinEmilie de RavinEmilie de Ravin born 27 December 1981)is an Australian actress. She is commonly associated with her roles as Tess Harding on Roswell and Claire Littleton on the ABC drama Lost....
- Danielle RoweDanielle RoweDanielle Rowe is an Australian ballet dancer.Rowe was born on 28 June 1982 in Shepparton, Victoria, and trained in Newcastle and Adelaide. She joined The Australian Ballet in 2001. She won the Telstra People's Choice Award in both 2003 and 2005 and in 2008 became a Principal Artist with the company...
- Marilyn RoweMarilyn RoweMarilyn Rowe OBE is the first graduate of the Australian Ballet School to be appointed its director, in 1999.-Dancing career:...
, OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- Hugh SheridanHugh SheridanHugh Sheridan is an Australian actor, singer and performer who is best known for his role as Ben Rafter in the television series Packed to the Rafters.-Early life:...
- Maggi SietsmaMaggi SietsmaMaggi Sietsma AM is the founding artistic director of the multiple-award winning Brisbane contemporary dance company, Expressions Dance Company, and regarded as one of Australia's leading choreographers...
- Ian SpinkIan SpinkIan Spink is an Australian-British choreographer.Born in Melbourne, he trained at the Australian Ballet School. After graduating in 1968, he danced and choreographed for The Australian Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre and the Dance Company of New South Wales.In 1974 he was offered a grant to tour...
- Garry StewartGarry StewartGarry Stewart has been the artistic director of the Australian Dance Theatre since 1999, following Meryl Tankard.Stewart studied at the Sydney City Ballet Academy and the Australian Ballet School...
- Ross StrettonRoss StrettonRoss Stretton was an Australian ballet dancer and artistic director. As a dancer, he performed with the Australian Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre...
- Meryl TankardMeryl TankardMeryl Tankard is an Australian dancer and choreographer who has a wide national and international reputation....
- Leigh WarrenLeigh WarrenLeigh Warren is an Australian contemporary dance choreographer and Artistic Director of Leigh Warren & Dancers having previously been at the Australian Dance Theatre...
- Marisa WarringtonMarisa WarringtonMarisa Michelle Warrington is an Australian actress who played Sindi Watts on the Australian soap opera Neighbours....
- Jodie-Anne WhiteJodie-Anne WhiteJodie-Anne White is an Australian dancer, choreographer and artistic director of the Ballet Theatre of Queensland.- Training :...