Sleeping Beauty Production and YGP Australia Success
Under the direction of Jane Kesby, the production provided students with the opportunity to perform one of the most important works in the classical ballet repertoire while enjoying valuable stage experience and their own moments in the spotlight.
The production was the result of a tremendous collaborative effort. We extend our sincere thanks to Rae Gibson for supporting Jane throughout the rehearsal and performance process, Peter Slattery for creating the beautiful storybook-inspired set, Peter Eirth and Riley Gibson for technical production, Nicky for preparing students for the show, and Keryn for the many hours dedicated to refining the production’s extensive costume collection. This small and dedicated team created a magical theatrical experience for both performers and audiences.
Our secondary ballet students embraced every aspect of the production with professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment, proving themselves wonderful ambassadors for the College. We also congratulate Jeffrey from the Musical Theatre Stream, who delighted audiences in the role of the King and demonstrated the collaborative spirit that exists across our performing arts programs.
Later in the term, our students achieved outstanding success at YGP Australia, making it another memorable chapter for the Classical Ballet Stream. Fifteen students represented the College, with six dancers invited to participate in the prestigious Call Back Masterclass and two students progressing to the Senior Finals.
We celebrated the achievements of all dancers at the Awards Ceremony at The Concourse on 13 September and congratulate our students on their exceptional performances throughout the competition.
Special congratulations to Oliver for placing in the Top 6 Senior Male category for both Contemporary and Ballet, and to Matilda for placing in the Top 12 Senior Female category for Ballet and the Top 24 for Contemporary.
Beyond the competition results, students benefited from an extraordinary week of learning, taking classes with leading artistic directors and international educators from around the world.
These included:
Megan Connelly, Artistic Director and Head of School at The Australian Ballet School;
Matthew Dibble, Repetiteur with Twyla Tharp Dance (USA);
Era Jouravlev, Artistic Director of the Ballet Trainee Program at Joffrey Ballet School (USA);
Kenta Kura, Director of K Ballet Academy (Japan);
Ashley McNeil, Director of Alberta Ballet School (Canada);
Robert Parker, Artistic Director of Elmhurst Ballet School (UK);
Garry Trinder, Director of the New Zealand School of Dance;
Natalia Bashkatova, Assistant Artistic Director and Head of the Scholarship Department at YAGP (USA);
Gennadi Saveliev, Co-Founder of YAGP and Ballet Master with ABT Studio Company (USA); and
Larissa Saveliev, Founder and Artistic Director of YAGP (USA).
The opportunity to learn from such distinguished industry leaders, while also being considered for scholarship opportunities, provided invaluable insight into the pathways available within professional dance.
