Dance News

With the new school year commencing, The McDonald Performing Arts College International Summer School is over for yet another year. But what a successful program it was! Over the course of two weeks, some 300 students were given the opportunity to improve their skills in a range of genres including classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, repertoire, and pointe. But more importantly, the young aspiring dancers got the opportunity to meet, and be taught by, one of their ballet idols, Ms Darcey Bussell. Ms Bussell, who was a former Principal Ballerina with The Royal Ballet, is widely regarded as one of the greatest English ballerinas of all time.

Dancenorth, Townsville and regional Queensland’s only professional dance company, has a new General Manager – Peter Helft. Peter brings a diverse set of skills to the role having worked in corporate roles in Australia that include Advertising Director of The Age newspaper, Melbourne; GM of Staging Connections, Sydney; and CEO of Brite Australia. Prior to these roles Peter was an actor for 10 years in the UK.

The flood waters may have receded in Brisbane, but the consequences of the floods in January will continue to be felt for many months. Almost three metres of water inundated the Playhouse Theatre at QPAC, and on 10 February Queensland Ballet announced that their season of Carmen was postponed, because of the delayed reopening of the Playhouse. Queensland Ballet were disappointed, but they have rescheduled their 2011 season and are thrilled to still be able to perform the entire season without cancelling any productions!