On a magical Sunday evening in May, the grandeur of the Sydney Opera House set the perfect stage for The Australian Ballet School's 60th Anniversary Showcase. The iconic venue was alive with excitement as a full house eagerly awaited an evening that promised to be nothing short of spectacular. Opening with Paul Knobloch's breathtaking Grand Defilé, the performance was a magnificent celebration of six decades of dedication, artistry, and excellence. Our students, under the visionary guidance of esteemed choreographers and guest artists, delivered technically superb and deeply moving performances.
Autumn choreographed by Alumna Serena Graham
The athleticism and artistry of our students and alumni truly shone on stage, captivating the audience with every movement, from the intricate footwork to the expressive storytelling, each performance was a vibrant celebration of the immense talent and unwavering dedication fostered within the walls of The Australian Ballet School.
A highlight of the evening was the premiere performance of TheFour Seasons, a work commissioned by Director Lisa Pavane to honour the history and celebrate the future of the School. Each season is choreographed by a different graduate of The Australian Ballet School who trained under one of the four Directors. Spring is created by Kevin Jackson, Summer by Lucas Jervies, Autumn by Serena Graham and Winter by Graeme Murphy AO and Janet Vernon AM.
“Four Seasons is an interesting way of revisiting Vivaldi’s iconic score, this time with the passage of time marked not only by the passing of seasons in a calendar year but also, it is implied, by the passage of generations of students and directors since 1964.” — Review by Geraldine Higginson, Dance Australia Magazine
The Four Seasons cast with Guest Artist Simon Dow
The 60th Anniversary Showcase program:
Grand Defilé choreographed by Paul Knobloch
Le Corsaire Pas de deux performed by Guest artists from The Australian Ballet Ako Kondo and Chengwu Guo.
Camino Flamenco choreographed by Areti Boyaci. Guest artists from The Australian Ballet Jake Mangakahia, Nathan Brook and Hugo Dumapit
Degas Dances choreographed by Paul Knobloch
Four Seasons
Spring choreographed by Kevin Jackson. Performed by Level 7 students
Summer choreographed by Lucas Jervies. Performed by Level 8 students
Autumn choreographed by Serena Graham. Performed by Level 7 students
Winter choreographed by Graeme Murphy AO and Janet Vernon AM. Performed by Level 8 students and Special Guest Simon Dow.
Camino Flamenco choreographed by Areti Boyaci
We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable evening of dance and artistry. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to us and fuel our commitment to excellence in dance training.
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