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Ella Marjorie Betts, Ballet dancer, New York
Ella Marjorie, 22, a proud Aboriginal classical dancer from West Wallsend NSW, now based in New York When did you start classical
ballet? I began classical ballet at the age of three under the tuition of Susan Shiner at the Susan Shiner Dance Academy.
What are your qualifications? I completed my RAD (ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE) syllabus examinations. I also studied other forms of dance such as Contemporary, Page 1
<odern, Jazz, Tap and National character. When did you know you were good at ballet? I demonstrated a strong passion for dance and competed in many dance competitions. At the age of 12 I was accepted at the Hunter School of the Performing Arts to study dance at school as well as continue my high school education where I was also selected to be a dancer for the competing dance ensemble. Whilst at the school I was also a member of the NSW State Dance Company and performed throughout Australia. At the age of fifteen I won a scholarship to the McDonald College in Sydney for classical ballet. At sixteen I moved to boarding school to professionally train as a ballet dancer and complete my education in schooling, under the tuition of Josephine Jason and Allan Cross as well as numerous elite teachers. There I was a member of the Premier State Ballet company and performed at the Sydney Opera House. I was also hired as an extra in the Australian Ballets production of Manon. How does your resume read? I have performed in many ballet concerts and eisteddfods, and have also danced in shows such as Star
Struck, State Dance festival and school spectacular. I was a Member of The NSW State Dance Company in 2007. I was employed for the Sydney Season of Manon with the Australian Ballet as an extra n 2008. I have performed in the evening of classical ballet with the McDonald College at the Sydney Opera house in 2008, 2009, and 2010. I was also a member of the Premier State Ballet Company and have performed the Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Paquita. I have also done casual dance teaching and completed the HSC dance course in 2009. I am also a trained and certified Yoga teacher. I feel I am a hard working, dedicated dancer who strives to succeed; I am respectful of those around me and work consciously and professionally in a workplace environment.
I am prepared and organized for class and performances and will do my very best to produce whatever is requested of me. I love to perform and hope to succeed in this field. What are you doing in New York? I have now been a trainee with the Ajkun Ballet Theatre in New York for 14 months. With them I have had the opportunity to perform in numerous classical ballets and contemporary creations. We perform throughout the city of Manhattan and also the State of New York. With this company I also assist as a teacher with their young dancers program (classes run on a Saturday for dancers between the age of 5 to 15). Have you perform as a soloist? In 2012 I also did a season contract for the Albany Berkshire ballet in their Nutcracker, there I not only got to dance in the corps de ballet but also was able to perform soloist roles such as Arabian and Spanish.