Queensland Ballet announces 2013 Company Dancers
Shortly after announcing that in 2013 Matthew Lawrence (Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal) will join the Company as Principal, and Huang Junshuang (former Houston Ballet Principal) as Guest International Principal, Artistic Director Li Cunxin has revealed that nine new dancers will also join Queensland Ballet next year.
Five graduate students from The Australian Ballet School have been offered contracts: Sophie Zoricic, Vito Bernasconi, Alexander Idaszak, Emilio Pavan and Alec S Roberts. Ballet Theatre Australia student Vanessa Morelli, WA Conservatoire of Classical Ballet (WACCB) student Robyn Begg, and Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) student Mia Thompson (a former Queensland Ballet Professional Year student) will also join the Company. Former Professional Year student Joseph Stewart, who has been guest dancing with the Company in 2012, has also been offered a full-time position.
“I am delighted to welcome such exciting new talent to our Company in 2013. Over 180 dancers recently auditioned in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and I was extremely impressed with the level of talent in Australia. We also received a lot of applications from international dancers.
“It's wonderful that so many dancers in Australia and from around the world want to be a part of the Company as we build upon our rich history,” comments Mr Li.
“I am looking forward to watching these accomplished new dancers further develop their talent and flourish within the Company.”
Mr Li has chosen a gifted ensemble of dancers, all of whom have a passion for classical ballet and technical excellence. “I am confident that the Company I have assembled will shine in the exquisite ballets I have programmed for Season 2013, and help me achieve my vision to build one of the most dynamic and vibrant ballet companies in the world.
“Not only will creatives from around the world want to work with Queensland Ballet dancers, our dancers will inspire a love of ballet in everyone who sees them celebrate this beautiful artform.”
Gareth Belling is leaving the Company to focus on his flourishing choreography career, and Piran Scott has accepted a position with the prestigious Leipziger Ballet.
Alexander Koszarycz, Blair Wood, Robert McMillan, Kathleen Doody, Iona Marques and Gemma Pearce will be leaving the Company at the end of the 2012 season.
Queensland Ballet has also offered positions to 20 students to join its 2013 Pre-Professional Program – a full-time, final year training program designed to prepare students for a career as a professional dancer. Under the direction of Mr Li and artistic staff, Pre-Professional students will thrive in an atmosphere dedicated to developing their skills to the highest artistic and technical standards. Classes will be held daily at the Thomas Dixon Centre from 10am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. The 2013 Pre-Professional Year students will be announced in late November.
Auditions for Queensland Ballet's Junior Program were held on Saturday 10 November at the Thomas Dixon Centre. Over 180 young dancers aged between 11 and 14 years old auditioned and up to 50 places will be offered. The Junior Program is designed to expand training for young ballet students, giving gifted students the opportunity to further develop their skills under the nurture and guidance of the Company's teaching staff during weekly classes held at the Thomas Dixon Centre.