Maleny's Gianni Curiale makes his mark

Maleny dancer set to soar

By Sonia Clark

Maleny dancer Gianni Curiale has secured a role in the upcoming Queensland Ballet’s production of the ‘The Nutcracker’ playing at QPAC this December. The year 6 Maleny River School student currently trains at the Sunshine Coast Conservatory of Dance and is also part of the prestigious Australian Ballet School’s ITP (Interstate Training Program).

Gianni said that he really enjoyed doing ballet and found it relaxing and a great way to express himself. Although it can be hard work, because he enjoys it so much he feels it’s fun, like playing a game. He is naturally thrilled to have been awarded a part in the upcoming Queensland Ballet production – the iconic story also being the first ballet production he saw as a younger child.

“I think it’ll be a cool experience and I’m really excited to be part of the production as I’ve never done something this big before,” Gianni said.

As a four year old, Gianni would tag along with his mum Su to his older sister’s dance lessons and, given the option to either sit still or get involved, he chose to start doing hip hop lessons.

When he was five, he decided to try other dance styles and took up ballet, tap and jazz lessons. During this time he had a male ballet teacher who, as well as noting Gianni’s enjoyment of the dance form and talent potential, also suggested Gianni had "perfect ballet feet and good natural form".

Gianni currently practises his ballet three hours a week, as well as fortnightly one-on-one lessons and weekly jazz dance lessons. As part of his place in the ITP, Gianni is able to access master classes and intensive training opportunities, with the chance to attend annual four-day training intensives in Melbourne specially focussed on male dancers.

Gianni said he would like to see more boys taking up ballet and he is currently looking forward to seeing how far his passion for dance will take him. He recently auditioned for a guest program spot at the Queensland Ballet Academy, which is similar to his ITP mentoring and supports further pathways to more intensive ballet training opportunities.

“Everyone should do ballet just because it’s fun. People should see boys dancing and say 'Wow! That looks amazing'. I think it’d be great to see more boys doing it, and if you are a boy and you want to dance then you should just do it,” Gianni said.