Ignite a Dancer's Future
Support Queensland Ballet Academy

Brisbane, 9th September, 2025: Did you know that when you give a gift to the Queensland Ballet Academy, you unlock a world of opportunity for young dancers to explore their full potential through the magic of dance, music, and creativity? 

For today only, Tuesday, 9th September, your gift will go four times further. Every gift to Queensland Ballet Academy will be quadrupled by our visionary Match Donors. That means: $50 becomes $200. $100 becomes $400. $1,000 becomes $4,000 – highlighting how impactful even a small contribution can be in shaping the next generation of artists. 

The first dance training program to be established in Australia in 1953 by Queensland Ballet founder, Charles Lisner, the Queensland Ballet Academy, is dedicated to preparing students for the world-stage through elite ballet training, physical conditioning, youth wellbeing and holistic academic education. The Academy plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of dancers, feeding talent into Queensland Ballet and acclaimed companies across the globe, while supporting each student’s individual opportunity to shine.

Academy Director, Christian Tàtchev, said the Academy is committed to shaping confident, creative young people through the power of a dance and arts education.

“Since 2015, over 230 of our Academy graduates have, or are, enjoying careers in prestigious dance companies across the globe. Additionally, our strong focus on academic education has allowed other students to pursue opportunities in fields, such as medicine, law, engineering after completing their training. Our sole aim is to unlock their individual opportunity to shine on or off the stage,” Tatchev said. 

“Our students have represented Australia on the world stage in events such as Prix de Lausanne, the most prestigious competition for young dancers in the world. Just last year, two of our graduates, Ruby Day and Jenson Blight, received the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation’s Best Young Talent Award and the Bourse Astarte  

Scholarship Prize, respectively — an achievement demonstrating the calibre of talent our team nurtures and supports.” Tàtchev added. 

“At the competition, directors from the world’s leading dance companies stand ready to offer coveted scholarships and internships to the stars of tomorrow. Ruby and Jenson were among those recognised, receiving professional full-time contracts with Queensland Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet Junior Company,” Tàtchev explained.

“Our Academy strives to attract and develop promising talent and to continuously contribute to the ongoing vitality of the art form. Our programs support individualised learning and, in partnership with Kelvin Grove State College, we are uniquely placed to support each and every one of our students on their chosen dance and adamic pathways. Please join us in shaping the next generation of Australian dancers, giving them the chance to soar, both on stage and in life.” Tàtchev added.  

Artistic Director, Ivan Gil-Ortega noted that great ballet companies around the world are associated with exceptional ballet training academies such as The Royal Ballet School, The Paris Opera Ballet School, The Vaganova Academy of Ballet and the Stuttgart Ballet School. 

“As guardians of both young people and this artform, it is our responsibility to ensure they are given every opportunity. For young dancers aspiring to a professional career, both on the stage or in the theatre world, Queensland Ballet offers a clear talent development pathway. This journey begins at the Academy, progresses through the Pre-Professional Program, and culminates in the Jette Parker Young Artists Program, our apprenticeship level initiative within the main company’s ensemble. “Gil-Ortega said

“Additionally, our Community Health Institute, recently recognised with a national Innovation Award from the Performing Arts Council, has developed holistic dance programs for all ages and abilities. These programs are delivered across Queensland and range from Petit Pointers for the youngest dancers aged 2 years old, all the way through to the Dance for Seniors classes also delivered by the Institute,” Gil-Ortega added.  

Queensland Ballet is a registered charity. The Queensland Government provides 20.20% of Queensland Ballet funding, which is leveraged by our generous family of audience, Academy families, dance class participants, corporate partners and donors. 

Your support is directed towards our young dancers through world-class training, scholarships and bursaries, mental wellbeing and physical health and well as performance opportunities. Please give generously and help us make an even greater impact for our young people.
Information on donations, see here. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Give today and be part of something extraordinary. To talk more about your support of Queensland Ballet Academy, or for any questions, please contact our Giving Day Team by email at givingday@queenslandballet.com.au or by calling us on 1800BALLET (1800 225 538).

Fast Facts about Queensland Ballet Academy

• 52% of Queensland Ballet Company artists are graduates of the Academy. 
• Over 230 Academy graduates have gained full time work with national and international dance companies including; Australian Ballet, West Australian Ballet Company, Alberta Ballet, Canada, Dutch National Ballet, Netherlands, English National Ballet, UK, Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong, Leipzig Ballet, Germany, Munich Ballet, Germany, Paris Opera Ballet, France, Royal New Zealand Ballet, New Zealand, Scottish Ballet, UK, Staatsballett Berlin, Germany
• In 2015, the Academy developed their own bespoke training programs (under the direction of former Artistic Director, Li Cunxin) that were tailored to suit dancers at every stage of their physical, mental, and emotional development
• Students and families are supported by a dedicated Admissions and Wellbeing Manager at Queensland Ballet Academy, overseeing the student journey from enrolment to graduation.
• The Academy has a Wellness Centre that employs physiotherapists, sports dieticians, and performance psychologists
• From 2015-2024, Queensland Ballet has granted 273 full or part-time bursaries and scholarships for students of the QBA training program.
• Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program is a full-time final year training program providing students with the preparation and training they require before joining a professional ballet company. Through weekly classes, workshops and collaborations, students receive direct mentorship from Queensland Ballet’s artistic team and renowned guest creatives. 
• Queensland Ballets Jette Parker Young Artists Program the Jette Parker Young Artist Program is an apprenticeship program which allows dancers from Australia and around the world to access elite training designed to refine their technique and gain valuable industry knowledge. Young artists are granted performance opportunities and world-class mentoring, before becoming company artists. 
• Queensland Ballet Community Health Initiative; Queensland Ballet’s Dance Health programs commenced in 2013 with Dance for Parkinson’s classes, delivered in partnership with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia., Using dance as our tool, we enrich lives and positively impact the health and wellbeing of people throughout Queensland, and since 2013 the programs have grown to include Dance for Arthritis (with The Arthritis Movement), Ballet for Brain Injury, Dance Rehab and Ballet Serene (in aged-care facilities). 

Editors’ Note:

Interviews and photos: Claire Vince, PR and Communications Manager

Cvince@queenslandballet.com.au / 0468 726 910.