The content on this page and other DCITA document archive pages is provided to assist research and may contain references to activities or policies that have no current application. See the full archive disclaimer.

by Cinden Lester

35 Years of the Australia Ballet School

Most 15 year old boys are probably more familiar with scrums or soccer than pirouettes and pas de deux. Not Lucas Jervies, who was one of around 500 nervous teenagers from across the country auditioning for The Australian Ballet School three years ago.

Along with the 30 or so others accepted into the School at that time, Jervies has recently graduated after successfully completing his training.

Jervies' passion for dance began at primary school in the Victorian/New South Wales border town of Albury.

'When I was six,' Jervies explains with a laugh, 'my mum put my name down on a board to start these experimental dance classes. I said, 'I'm not going, it's for girls', but my sister dragged me along and I loved it! Eventually my sister dropped out but I kept going.'

Now, Jervies is on the verge of a promising career - having already choreographed several works, danced lead roles in his graduation season, and taken up a place with The Australian Ballet this year.

Jervies is yet another success story from The Australian Ballet School, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in March.

Within six months of graduating, 90 per cent of the School's students are fully employed in companies throughout Australia and around the world. Graduates make up 95 per cent of The Australian Ballet.

Former students include Ross Stretton, Graeme Murphy, Meryl Tankard, Paul Mercurio, Gideon Obarzanek, Stephan Baynes, Wendy Walker, Robyn Hughes, and the School's new Director Marilyn Rowe - who was one of the 'bumper crop' of 1964, the first intake.

Not surprisingly the School has established an international reputation for producing dancers, choreographers, teachers and directors of the highest calibre.

One proud participant in the 35th anniversary celebrations was Dame Margaret Scott. She accepted the challenge of setting up the School in the old Presbyterian Ladies College building in East Melbourne in 1964 and remains 'totally addicted to the school and the company'.

'We were absolute pioneers. This had never been done before. We had to start completely from scratch, thankfully under the guidance of Nugget Coombs, who was a great mentor. Everyone we approached for help and advice was wonderful. It was a most marvelous coming together of people and ideas, so completely untried,' she says.

Says Marilyn Rowe of those early days: 'We had a feeling that we were part of history. It's certainly in the blood, and it's very exciting to have been appointed the director for the 35th year.'

She attributes the School's success rate to the dedication and quality of its staff, and its innovative program. Students receive a wide education in all forms of dance, as well as English, drama, notation, theatre studies, dance history, anatomy and music.

The first two years concentrate on technical and academic studies and the third year provides an opportunity for students to perform on regional tours as the Dancers Company, alongside professional dancers with The Australian Ballet.

Jervies says touring was a real highlight. 'The touring was fabulous. We went to the cities The Australian Ballet can't go to because their sets are too big and often the theatres aren't large enough. The audiences are smaller, or have never been to ballet before.

'It's probably the best thing about the School, because we get first hand experience of what it's like to tour, to be in a ballet company and to work in hard conditions. You know after a Dancers Company tour whether you want to keep going in this career.'

Marilyn Rowe also believes the touring year is invaluable. 'It's a delight to watch them from the first weeks of touring and see how far they have developed as artists.'

This year the usual busy pace at the School will be heightened with anniversary activities. Rowe is keen to capture that momentum and build on the School's past successes.

'It's about instilling a sense of joy as well as concentrating on technical ability. To be an artist you must have a love and passion for what you do. Ballet was born of the synthesis of many art forms - music, sculpture, painting, literature and theatre, therefore all students of The Australian Ballet School are encouraged to develop a keen and active interest in the allied arts.

This not only enriches their personal lives but also contributes to their development as creative artists.

'We're just getting better and better. Our dancers are recognised around the world for their unique Australian vitality and character,' says Rowe.

Clearly, the spirit of the School, as inspired by Dame Margaret and the first enthusiastic teachers, students and supporters, will continue well into the new millennium.

Contact

Charlotte Davis, Development Manager, The Australian Ballet School 03 9684 8600 or email cdavis@australianballetschool.com.au

As a centre of excellence in dance training, The Australian Ballet School receives a proportion of its funding from the Commonwealth Government, through the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and raises the balance through private sector support. It is on the department's Register of Cultural Organisations and can offer tax deductibility to private and corporate donations and sponsorship. The School keeps fees to a minimum and offers scholarships to ensure that cost is no barrier to talented students.

• Document ID: 11471 |
• Last modified: 5 February 2008, 6:05pm