For over fifty years The Australian Ballet School has produced dancers of the highest calibre for our parent company, The Australian Ballet, state companies and leading dance companies throughout the world.

Most dancers in The Australian Ballet are graduates of The Australian Ballet School, including Artistic Director, David McAllister AM. Graduates can also be found as principals and soloists in major companies throughout the world. Such is the standard of excellence that within six months of graduating, 90% of students gain contracts. This is one of the highest employment rates of any tertiary institution in Australia.

"within six months of graduating,
90% of students gain contracts"

The influence of the School permeates many dance related areas. For instance, choreographic talent has been nurtured over the years with graduates such as Graeme Murphy AO, Meryl Tankard, Stephen Baynes, Gideon Obarzanek, Leigh Warren, Adrian Burnett, Louise Deleur and Lucas Jervies all having distinguished international reputations. The creative influence of the School continues today with graduates, Tim Harbour, Paul Knobloch, Timothy Brown, Wakako Asano, David Jonathan, Reed Luplau and Tim O’Donnell all in the process of establishing their choreographic credentials. The School is also fortunate to have respected choreographers Simon Dow and Margaret Wilson on staff.

Simon Dow on 2017 Graduate Contracts

"The Australian Ballet School is tremendously proud of all our 2017 graduates as we are committed to giving our students the fullest possible training and pre-professional performance experience across all levels during their years with us. We are thrilled that David McAllister has recognised the abilities of five of our graduates and offered them contracts for this year with the Australian Ballet.

"technically assured
and artistically courageous
representatives of the School"

This group have had extensive experience in performance including opportunities in Canada, China and around Australia and are wonderful, technically assured and artistically courageous representatives of the School. We celebrate their professional beginnings and honour our strong, committed relationship with The Australian Ballet and our continued commitment to training excellent dancers for the profession, most importantly here with our parent company and internationally."

Simon Dow
Level 7 Classical Teacher, Levels 5-7 Co-ordinator & Resident Choreographer