Meet Sydney Dance Co.’s PPY19 Dancers!

Sydney Dance Company (SDC) recently announced the aspiring young Australian and New Zealand dancers selected to take part in its acclaimed Pre-Professional Year (PPY) program.

“By offering students the chance to train in a company-like environment with access to world-class choreographers, SDC is laying the foundation for the next wave of Australian dance talent. It is an exciting initiative, and as a dance critic, these are names that I’ll now watch with interest,” wrote Claudia Lawson for Fjord Review on PPY18 Revealed. (Read Dance Informa’s interviews with three PPY18 dancers after their PPY18 Revealed performances here.)

Now in its sixth year, this 12-month intensive program provides a unique opportunity for aspiring contemporary dancers to train alongside SDC ensemble and experience a professional dance career.

Led by SDC Head of Training Linda Gamblin, the PPY dancers work with over 35 local and international contemporary choreographers and specialists each year, who offer a variety of unique movement philosophies and techniques as well as helping the dancers to gain invaluable insight into their unique creative practice.

The end-of-year performance at Carriageworks, PPY Revealed, showcases new choreography created with these guest artists throughout the year.

Dancers from around Australia and New Zealand applied for the PPY19 course intake. Following a highly competitive audition process, the final cut comprises 11 dancers from New South Wales, six from Queensland, four from ACT, three from WA, one from Victoria, one from Tasmania, one from South Australia and one from New Zealand, all ranging in age from 18 to 24 years.

The dancers commenced their studies at SDC’s brand-new, state-of-the-art studios in Ultimo this month.

Gamblin commented, “I am excited to inspire young people through the exploration of dance while encouraging personal and professional development. I am passionate about uncovering the spirit of a group environment, allowing space to strengthen their authentic self.”

SDC Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela said, “With sophisticated technique and a strong sense of the artist within, Pre-Professional Year graduates are brave and generous when working within the contemporary dance industry.”

PPY includes a nationally recognised outcome qualification— CUA50113 –Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) and CUA60113 Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) through a partnering arrangement with Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD) RTO #31624. Both qualifications are recognized within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

PPY18 dancers recently performed in Narrabeen, a film by acclaimed Australian choreographer and filmmaker Sue Healey. Watch the film here.

For more information on PPY, visit www.sydneydancecompany.com.

SDC PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR 2019 DANCERS:

Amy Jordan, Bulli, NSW

Annalise Malachowski, Castle Hill, NSW

Claudia Willimann, Christchurch, NZ

Emma-Jane Tuck, Sydney, NSW

Gabriela Planck, Black Rock, VIC

Georgia Taylor, Sydney, NSW

Holli Di Nardo, Carindale, QLD

Imogen Chen, Rockhampton, QLD

Isaac Clark, Armidale, NSW

Jessica Tonkin, Townsville, QLD/Canberra, ACT

Lauren Rutherford Perth, WA

Lillian Grant, Canberra, ACT

Maddison Weiley, Wallsend, NSW

Mia Corfield, Perth, WA

Nicholas Caldwell, Orange, NSW

Nikki Rossendell, Canberra, ACT

Olivia Hadley, Gold Coast, QLD

Opal Russell, Kiama, NSW

Patricia Hayes Cavanagh, Canberra, ACT

Reina Takeuchi, Sunshine Coast, QLD

Remy Rochester, Lane Cove, NSW

Sabine Crompton-Ward, South Hobart, TAS

Sebastian Vidot, Perth, WA

Shalani Wood, Torrensville, SA

Siobhan Lynch, Sydney, NSW

Soleil Harvey, Brisbane, QLD

Telea Jensen, Toowoomba, QLD

Lara Beverley, Newcastle, NSW

Photo: SDC PPY19 dancers on their first day at the SDC Studios. Photo by Pedro Greig.