RAD celebrates all things WA
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) recently celebrated all things Western Australia with its annual Festival of Dance. The event, which spanned five days total, culminated in a Gala performance on the final evening on WA DAY. More than 400 young dancers competed for a range of awards, including three coveted and prestigious scholarships, at Curtin Theatre at John Curtin College of the Arts.
The Gala on June 4 featured a guest performance by WA’s own West Australian Ballet, with Les Indomptés danced by Liam Green and Ludovico Di Ubaldo. WA Ballet Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella also acted as adjudicator for the festival’s three main scholarships awarded during the Gala, including the David McAllister Cup – named after Artistic Director David McAllister AM of The Australian Ballet, who was born and trained in WA.
Joining Scannella in the adjudication team was Perth-born Madeleine Eastoe, former principal dancer with The Australian Ballet, and Melissa Boniface, current soloist with the WA Ballet. Jacinta Ross Ehlers, a former WA Ballet dancer, also adjudicated beside Craig Lord-Sole, ballet master for the company. Choreographer and dancer Sue Peacock, who is currently head of dance at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), completed the team in an inspirational line-up of some of the state’s most celebrated dance professionals.
The festival is a springboard for many aspiring and pre-professional dancers in the region, including this year’s host of the Gala evening, Carina Roberts, WA Ballet corps de ballet dancer, who herself was the recipient of the Linley Wilson and Pre-Professional scholarships. The opportunity to perform for such a high-profile group of adjudicators is a rare and exciting opportunity.
Before the event commenced, RAD’s WA Regional Manager Shelley Yacopetti said the Festival of Dance is a highlight of the WA dance calendar.
Be on the lookout for our announcement of the winners in the coming days!
Photo: The Perth School of Ballet, winners of the 2017 David McAllister Cup. Photo by David Mueller Photography, courtesy of RAD Australia.