Dance News

The final nominees for this year’s Australian Dance Awards have been announced. Sydney Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Expressions Dance Company and Bangarra Dance Theatre stand shoulder to shoulder with multiple nominees. Presented by Ausdance in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), the dance industry’s premier national award event will be held in Queensland for the first time in its 14 year history in QPAC’s Playhouse on Sunday 24 July 2011. Dance Informa is the proud major media sponsor for the 2011 Australian Dance Awards.

Congratulations to Georgia McCarthy, Holly Sheils and Jesse Kean of The McDonald College for their recent successes at the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod, which was held on Sunday 5 June. Georgia, of Year 9 at The McDonald College, took out the Vocal Championship of the Eisteddfod. "The College community wish her every success in the upcoming Gala Concert where championship winners of other genres also perform”, said Mr Michael McGregor, Head of Music at The McDonald College. Not to be outdone by Georgia, Holly Sheils and Jesse Kean, both Year 11 students of the College, will also perform at the Gala Concert which takes place on June 17 at Brookvale. Holly and Jesse’s lyrical duo “Bang, Bang” earned them a spot at the Gala final after they were awarded 1st place at the Eisteddfod.

ADT have just announced that renowned contemporary dancer Kristina Chan (who danced in Birdbrain, HELD and Age of Unbeauty with ADT) will teach at this July’s Winter Intensive. Chan will join esteemed faculty Gabrielle Nankivell and Chris Aubrey. The ADT Winter Intensive allows dancers to experience the creative and physical challenge of being a full time contemporary dancer at Australian Dance Theatre, one of the country’s leading contemporary forces. 

Exploring the concept of soul mates and human connection, Side to One follows two individuals destined to connect. Attracted like magnets they are never static but constantly evolving. Last seen at the Space Theatre in Tanja Liedtke’s construct in 2009 the stunning Lisa Griffiths will be back to perform her own work. Craig Bary is known to dance audiences from his work with Australian Dance Theatre and Leigh Warren & Dancers. Side to One premieres in Adelaide at the Space Theatre, July 27-30.

A week’s intensive studio-based program for emerging professional choreographers and dancers with Artistic Director, Phillip Adams and renowned choreographer Rebecca Hilton. A creative forum to explore choreographic and improvisational practices as a basis towards new work development.  4 – 8 July. Expressions of Interest Due by Friday 17th June.

The Australian Dance Festival this September is a celebration of Australia's best in dance.  As part of the celebrations ADF will showcase Australia's best dance crews on Friday September 16 across all genres of dance. The unique competition will award prizes for the most entertaining dance crew, best choreographed dance crew and the dance crew displaying the best technical ability. The winner of each of these titles will receive $2,500 and a trophy.

Sydney Festival has announced Lieven Bertels as the new Director for Sydney Festival 2013-15. Lieven Bertels is currently Artistic Coordinator for Holland Festival, the Netherlands’ oldest and largest annual arts festival. Bertels helped to re-establish the event as a leading presenter and producer of contemporary music, opera and non-western work. Support for Bertels comes from peers and artists alike.  Renowned festival and former Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy said, “Lieven is a terrific choice for Sydney Festival.  I have long-admired his work at Holland Festival and this is a very exciting appointment for Sydney.”

Don’t miss your chance to attend the Nederlands Dans Theater I Pre-show Forum on Friday 15 July in Melbourne. ONLY 100 TICKETS AVAILABLE AND THEY ARE SELLING FAST! Reserve your place now, Call 1300 182 183. Quote the promotion code INDUSTRY when booking. Offer ends 14 July.

Kick off the uggboots, unwrap your scarf, start stretching those muscles and get ready for a whole week of dancing from July 4-8. Expressions Dance Company’s Brisbane Contemporary Dance Intensive caters for everyone serious about dance – from 13 year olds through to experienced professionals. Now in its second year, EDC’s Contemporary Dance Intensive has already garnered a reputation as one of Australia’s top training programs, attracting participants from around the country. Applications close Wednesday 8 June 2011 and places are strictly limited so get in your application now! Check out the website for all the details www.expressionsdancecompany.org.au

Adelaide's Move Through Life Dance Company is seeking three to four dancers to join the company until at least the end of 2011, with a view to performing in the September performance season, Illuminate 2011. MTL is a non-profit, project based dance company that provides a pathway for highly skilled adult dancers to continue dancing at a challenging and exciting level. Interested dancers are invited to attend a contemporary class and company session on Thursday 9 June.  For further information contact Artistic Director Jo McDonald at jo.mcdonald@movethroughlife.org.au

One of Australia’s most renowned contemporary choreographers, Sarah Boulter, was just invited to choreograph two routines for SYTYCD UK for the Showcase Week and Top 20 week. She recreated "Man’s World” on the top 10 boys, who all found her choreography ‘extreme’, due to her signature athleticism. She then choreographed a routine to ‘Turning Tables’ by Adele which was called the best routine of the night! Sarah enjoyed the challenge and found the British team a pleasure to work with. “The biggest thrill for me was working alongside such world recognised choreographers such as Karen Bruce and Mandy Moore. Both were humble and amazing”, Sarah told Dance Informa.

Shayarne Matheson (18 yrs), Joel Woellner (16 yrs) and Elise Hart (18 yrs) all trained at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy, Sydney were prize and scholarship recipients at this year’s prestigious Alana Haines Australasian Awards held in Auckland, New Zealand. Shayarne Matheson was announced as the Supreme Award Winner receiving a bursary of NZ$11,000 and a scholarship to the Royal Ballet School. 16 year old Joel Woellner was awarded 1st Runner Up Supreme Awards B Group and received a week’s work experience scholarship with the Australian Ballet Company and Elise Hart was awarded 3rd Runner Up Supreme Awards B Group and two week’s work experience scholarship with the Hong Kong Ballet Company.