CELEBRATE ISSUE #1
DECEMBER 2019
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#1
WELCOME
Contributors Editor & Words Cassandra Houghton Photography All Queensland Ballet photography by David Kelly except; The Nutcracker by Julia Balla (pg 12,13); & Season 2020 by Jez Smith (pg 9,18) Art Direction & Design Dave Byrne / Bigfish
Welcome to the first edition of Pas. magazine.
Contact Queensland Ballet (07) 3013 6666 mail@queenslandballet.com.au Beesley St Studios 34 Beesley St, West End, QLD 4101
— There are so many reasons we wanted to create our own publication, but first and foremost it was a desire to share the many untold stories that ballet gifts us. Not just those expressed so gracefully on stage during our performances, but the plentiful tales that live in our studios and workshops, that travel with us on the road and in the air, and those born
Subscribe For a fortnightly glimpse into the world of Queensland Ballet, including what’s on, behind-the-scenes photos, news and videos, subscribe to At The Barre: queenslandballet.com.au/subscribe
out of meaningful relationships within our community. Ballet is a gift. You’ll read that quite a lot, in Pas., because
/pa/
we all feel it. It’s a magical artform that offers bountiful ways
A step or series of
and histories. Since we know ballet has a lot to give, we have
steps in ballet.
the ultimate responsibility to explore all that our generous
to inspire and engage people of all ages, abilities, tastes
artform can unlock for us. In expression, in aspiration, in education, in health, in day-to-day life, and above all, in bringing joy to as many people as possible.
QUEENSLAND BALLET
IN THIS ISSUE
We think Pas. will explore the four pillars of our endeavour: Artistic, Academy, Community, Cultural Spaces; but I predict that it will take on a life of its own now that we have raised the curtain on story-sharing. For lovers of our mainstage productions, Pas. will offer insights into our beautiful dancers, creatives, artistic team,
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INTERVIEW
BACKSTAGE
Queensland holds the charm for ballerina Lina Kim —
Backstage: Romeo & Juliet —
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NEWS
Offstage —
COLLABORATE
All the world’s a stage for Music Director and Principal Conductor Nigel Gaynor —
12 Cover Company Artist Libby-Rose Niederer
the backstage glamour and non-glamour! Pas. will also follow the adventures that accompany the opening of our new Academy home at Kelvin Grove State College, the redevelopment of our heritage-listed Thomas Dixon Centre, the inevitable ups and downs of touring and the fascinating insights into humanity as we dive deeper, handin-hand with researchers, looking into how ballet inspires positive health for so many of us. From the four-year old who comes along to our Petit Pointers class to the carer of a Dance for Parkinson’s participant, Pas. will talk to us through different voices, faces and angles, and I am delighted they have finally found their way to you. Our theme for the first edition is celebrate, and I think it’s a fitting one. In 2020, QB celebrates its 60th anniversary, and our new season is packed with beauty, including the dramatic Dracula and the enchanting The Sleeping Beauty. In January,
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The laidback luxury vibes of our tour stop Port Douglas —
our Academy opens its doors to welcome its 2020 cohort and later in the year, our Jette Parker Young Artists take off on their European tour. These are just some of the highlights of what’s to come and I hope Charles Lisner is proud of the Company he founded in 1960, a Company that continues to reach beyond what is possible. I hope you enjoy this first edition of Pas. as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you. Your QB family wishes you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!
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BALLET FACTS
Everything you ever wanted to know about The Nutcracker —
rehearsals, the making of our sets and costumes - as well as all
INTERVIEW
In the wings with Mia Heathcote —
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Dilshani Weerasinghe Executive Director
Photo Company Artist Pol Andrés Thió
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
ISSUE #1
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INTERVIEW All the Right Moves Lina Kim Soloist
Queensland’s culture and lifestyle are an enchanting mix for Queensland Ballet Soloist Lina Kim
— When Queensland Ballet Soloist Lina Kim tagged
Ballet in London; Gillian Murphy, Principal at American
South Korea, she had no idea she was at a precipice.
Ballet Theatre; and Queensland Ballet’s own Principals
She was, after all, only four years old.
Yanela Piñera, Laura Hidalgo and Lucy Green. She enjoys
“I followed my best friend because she had a ballet class – just tagged along for fun, and she actually ended
QUEENSLAND BALLET
Fans include Marianela Nuñez, Principal at The Royal
along to her friend’s dance class in her home country
the link her business gives her to international dancers. “I always struggled to find dancewear that fitted me
up quitting not long after because she couldn’t do the
in my way and flattered my body shape and now there’s
splits,” she laughs.
a lot more available, but 10 to 15 years ago it was quite
“But I could, so she gave up and I stuck with it.” The 29-year old has been living her dream with
limited,” she recalls. “So I literally just bought a sewing machine and
Queensland Ballet for almost 10 years, after moving to
thought ‘why not, I’ll give it a go’, and it took me
Brisbane with her family in 1998. She has performed in
19 hours straight.
productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
“But I was having so much fun, for that 19 hours
The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Cinderella and
I was captivated. And then I wore it and loved it and
La Bayadére.
everyone said ‘oh, can you make me one’, and that’s
“I’ve never thought about anything else – it’s definitely a dream job,” Lina says, popping out in between morning classes for a chat.
how it started.” Australia might not be Lina’s birthplace, but for her, it feels firmly like home. After international tours,
“It’s hard to pick just one moment that I love the
including to London and China, it’s Brisbane – and
most, but it’s definitely the whole sort of lifelong
Queensland Ballet – that holds all the charm. The 2013
commitment and the drive that I enjoy.
Queensland Korean of the Year awardee recently moved
“I also love classical music, so anything that sort of flickers at the strings of my heart – it’s just beautiful.” It’s an expressive artform, ballet, with more acting
to Carina with her husband, former ballet dancer Guy Wheatstone, and a brand-new puppy. “I really love Brisbane. Even though I was born and
skill required than audiences might imagine. The
raised in Korea, Brisbane is my home, and even though
dramatic roles, and becoming a character that tells a
I love travelling I always come back because I can’t
story, are two of the aspects Lina enjoys the most.
picture myself living anywhere else,” she says.
“It’s quite special dancing dramatic roles or telling a story because it becomes about being someone or somewhere that you normally wouldn’t, and being a
“We’re very lucky to have the work/lifestyle balance here – that’s what I enjoy about working at QB. “I love the repertoire, and the culture, and the
normal person living through the characters and getting
support network. So for me to have that, and to have my
your heart broken onstage is quite nice – you know,
family here who can visit me and watch my shows every
cathartic in a way,” she says.
season, it’s quite special. I think I’m very fortunate.
“The other thing I love about this artform is that I can really push my limit and move my body, whereas I guess at a ‘normal’ or non-physical job it’s something you have to make time for…here I can reach my physical limits while enjoying it and also making a living out of it.” Being a QB ballerina is a full-time job, albeit an
A lot of dancers don’t have that opportunity.” And her advice for aspiring young dancers? “Learn to work smart and hard, but most importantly, just enjoy the whole process,” she says. “If you let others feel your joy, it will separate you from the crowd – stand your ground and shine as you are.”
unconventional one, so it’s a surprise to discover Lina has a side business. She launched LINA Dancewear from her living room in 2013 and finds the alternate creative outlet Photos Soloist Lina Kim
of designing and sewing clothes almost as satisfying as dancing. 95 per cent of the dancewear, she makes herself.
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— Lina will be performing in Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the QPAC Lyric Theatre, December 13-21.
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
I’VE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE —IT’S DEFINITELY A DREAM JOB 5
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QUEENSLAND BALLET
BACKSTAGE
Photos Senior Soloist Mia Heathcote and Soloist Patricio Revé
Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet — QPAC’s Lyric Theatre stage was transformed into the streets of Verona in August and September with elegant costumes, majestic sets and daring choreography that matched the dramatic heights of this classic love story. Romeo & Juliet was our most exquisite ballet event of 2019, and one that filled us with joy. There was also a touch of the bittersweet, as we farewelled Company Artist, Tamara Hanton.
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
Photos Top: Company Artists Tamara Hanton (centre) and Laura Tosar (right) Left: Company Artist Pol Andrés Thió Top right: Company Artists Serena Green and Tamara Hanton Lower right: Senior Soloist Alexander Idaszak and Soloist Patricio Revé
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Nigel Gaynor
COLLABORATE
All the world’s a stage for Music Director and Principal Conductor Nigel Gaynor
Nigel Gaynor Music Director and Principal Conductor
QUEENSLAND BALLET
— It’s not often you find a conductor that is skilled in 15th
“I’d always had the idea that I would love to be a
century medieval and renaissance instruments such as
conductor, so after learning the craft of piano-playing
the crumhorn, sackbut and cornetto, but it’s all part and
for ballet I began getting lessons – actually with some of
parcel for Queensland Ballet’s Nigel Gaynor.
the very high profile, superb people like Jack Lanchbery
The Music Director and Principal Conductor, who will soon celebrate a four-year anniversary with Queensland Ballet, has yet to find a dance production that requires
(a Royal Ballet Music Director who worked with Dame Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev),” he says. “That time with them inspired me…in a studio there
use of the obscure instruments, despite having worked
were dancers sweating blood and tears, and if the music
across the globe for his craft.
is not right, or if there’s not an empathy or knowledge of
“Instruments…I’ve played rather a lot. I was very interested to learn,” Nigel laughs.
what’s going on, then the conductor can absolutely ruin the show. “This was an added incentive – I thought,
“I started teaching myself the piano from three with lessons from five and from 10, I was also studying the pipe
‘this is what I want to do’.” Other highlights of those years include trips to Greece,
organ. Along the way at school, because of the school
Russia, Italy, and an unexpected meeting with the Queen
orchestra and band, I learned viola, tuba, euphonium
(“I cannot remember a thing she said but when you shake
and trombone.
the hand of the Queen – it’s gloved, mind you, this tiny
“I also learned the clarinet and the flute roughly, just to have an understanding of how they work, and then
hand – it was amazing!”). Then it was a spell as Music Director with the Royal
another friend of mine at school was a harpsichordist and
New Zealand Ballet, and it was here he reconnected with
he had a house full of amazing renaissance and medieval
Li Cunxin AO, Queensland Ballet’s Artistic Director. It was
instruments…It was good fun.”
a moment that would change his career.
It was his talent for the piano, however, that led
“Li asked me to guest conduct Romeo & Juliet for
to a sparkling 28-year career in ballet that began as
Queensland Ballet, in 2015.” The following year, Nigel
unconventionally as his skillset. Nigel was part-way
was appointed to the position of QB’s Music Director and
through a music degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of
Principal Conductor. And after such an international
Music when he was headhunted by The Australian Ballet.
career, what does he love about Queensland Ballet?
He deferred his course to join them, eventually
“Everything. It’s that cliched thing where we all work
completing a Masters degree when he was based in Leeds,
for a common goal and we’re all really interested in the
England, and concedes he had the right mixture of skills
Company and committed to excellence. It’s quite an
for a ballet company pianist.
outstanding team that Li has put together,” he says.
“It’s very easy for people to rush the tempo – ballet work really sorts out rhythmic flaws in people,” he says. “You’ve got to be able to play at exactly the right speed for a measured period of time.”
“Plus, we have excellent orchestras in Queensland and an amazing climate and just stunning dancers…it’s an outrageous standard of dancers for any national company to have, so for a state company to have it – the whole thing
It’s a talent he’s had time to nurture over the last
is amazing. It’s a dream.”
almost-three decades, first as a pianist and now as a conductor. He joined The Australian Ballet in 1982, and in Illustration Nigel Gaynor by Niqui Toldi
1998 he moved to England for 16 years to work at Northern Ballet, English National Ballet, and The Royal Ballet.
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— Nigel will be conducting the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the QPAC Lyric Theatre, December 13-21.
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OFFSTAGE Giving Day 2019 — On October 17, Queensland Ballet held its inaugural Giving Day. More than $2.1 million was raised from an unbelievably generous community of 1365 donors, as well as our sponsors! This ambitious campaign saw donations secured from our generous match-donors quadrupled for 24 hours; so every $25 became $100. These donations will see our new Queensland Ballet Academy facility at Kelvin Grove State College fitted out with everything the young dancers require, including ballet barres, pianos, and wellness programs, such as physiotherapy.
queenslandballet.com.au/support
Our Artistic Director, Li Cunxin, receives Queen’s Birthday honour
— QB Academy Director Christian Tátchev announced the partnership with Prix de Lausanne in October, 2019 in the lead up to Queensland Ballet Academy’s world-class new facilities opening in January 2020 at Kelvin Grove State College. The partnership places the Academy in a prestigious network of top professional dance training organisations
— In June, Li was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen’s Birthday honours for distinguished service to the performing arts, particularly to ballet, as a dancer and artistic director. He attended a ceremony at Government House in October. The Company is proud of Li and echoes the sentiment this award embodies: that he is such an inspiration to those around him, and his life
around the world.
Two new sites in 2020 — The redevelopment of Queensland Ballet’s home, the Thomas Dixon Centre, is well underway with the first sod turned in August. When complete, this exciting facility will include a studio theatre, an open-air roof terrace, and a ‘Bunker Bar’ taking the place of five World War II-era air raid shelters. Meanwhile, Queensland Ballet Academy’s new state-of-the-art training facility will open its doors in January, 2020 at Kelvin Grove State College, delivering world-leading practice in professional ballet training, underpinned by agile, future-focused learning pathways with student-centred wellbeing at its heart.
and career has touched lives around the world.
Community: Limitless Leaps — Supported by an Arts Queensland Artists in Residence program and in partnership with AllPlay Dance, Deakin University Child Study Centre and Churchill State School, Queensland Ballet is excited to have recently completed a unique, inclusive in-school 10-week dance program. Limitless Leaps focused on inclusivity regardless of ability and provided thirteen children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) the opportunity to participate in an all-abilities dance program alongside 13 of their peers in Years 5 and 6.
Your best move
2020 Season Launch
— Did you know Queensland Ballet runs weekly public dance classes at our Beesley St Studios
— In September, QB launched a 2020 Season brimming with treasures, old and new, as a
in West End, Brisbane? With a focus on fun, all our classes are designed to increase fitness (hello summer!), flexibility and coordination in
way of celebrating where the Company has come from and where its bold ambitions are taking it. “The Company was founded 60
a friendly and relaxed environment for anyone aged from 16 years to mature adults. Choose from ballet, Broadway jazz, contemporary,
years ago by the great Charles Lisner OBE, who had a vision to develop both the artform of ballet and an audience for it here in
Pilates, and barre and tone; casual classes, 10-class packages, and 30-day memberships are available. QB also runs a special Dance for
Queensland,” said Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO. “This is a very special season for us as we’re able to honour all those
Parkinson’s program, and an Early Years Dance program for those aged two–five.
who have come before us and enabled QB to be the global ballet company it is today.”
queenslandballet.com.au/classes
Season tickets on sale now at queenslandballet.com.au
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
Queensland Ballet Academy goes global with Prix de Lausanne partnership
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SPOTLIGHT ON:
Port Douglas Laidback luxury vibes are only part of this tiny coastal town’s charm
QUEENSLAND BALLET
Queensland Ballet’s Education Teaching Artists will be on the road across regional Queensland and Northern Territory in June and July 2020, delivering workshops in school and community settings to young dancers, school and studio teachers, and seniors. One of our stops is the tropical town of Port Douglas, nestled along the North Queensland coastline. With a reputation for drawing A-list celebrities to its shores, and proximity to World Heritage Wonders Cape Tribulation and the Great Barrier Reef, it’s an ideal base for exploring the region. Here’s what we love about Port Douglas:
Breathtaking Queensland scenery Regional Workshops For more information on our Regional School & Community Workshops touring regional Queensland and Northern Territory in 2020, go to queenslandballet.com.au/community
— Mossman Gorge, with its crystal-clear freshwater
Looking for a beach swim? Take a dip at the
and giant granite boulders, makes for a sublime
palm-fringed Four Mile Beach which spans the
swimming experience. The gorge sits inside the
coastline of Port Douglas (there are swimming nets
World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest -
to keep out the stingers during the wet season).
the oldest, continuously surviving rainforest on
There are also plenty of tourism providers that
earth, and feels a world away from the hustle and
offer day trips out to the Great Barrier Reef where
bustle of regular city life.
you can snorkel and scuba-dive and swim.
Deeper into the Daintree, the forest offers more ancient, nature-themed experiences. Book a tour or hire a 4WD and head north for crocodile-spotting river cruises, zipline tours through the canopies, and jungle night-walks to see the fascinating array of creatures that call the lavish landscape home.
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Mossman Gorge & Great Barrier Reef Photo: Shutterstock & @mycolourfulworld_
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
Lap of luxury
— There’s a reason Port Douglas is sometimes referred to as a mix between Noosa and Byron Bay, and it’s (partly) to do with the stunning spas and
— If you’re a seafood lover, you’re in for a treat. Set
Dining out
beside the pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef,
resorts. Deep tissue massages, hot stone therapies,
many of the town’s restaurants feature freshly-caught
salt body scrubs, facials and reflexology are offered
barramundi, mud crab, coral trout, prawns, and
at spas dotted in and around the tropical town
shellfish. In the mood for something else quintessentially
while the luxury accommodation comprises villas,
Australian? Contemporary choices include kangaroo
architecturally designed resorts, grand hotels and
loin, crocodile, or macadamia-encrusted meats and
an assortment of beach houses and Airbnb homes.
vegetables, paired, of course, with Australian wines. There’s also a scattering of Mexican, Italian and other international cuisines should they take your fancy, as well
Sheraton Grand Mirage Photo @mycolourfulworld_
as buzzing brunch and coffee options along the town’s
Harrisons Restaurant Photo @harrisonspd
main strip on Macrossan Street.
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QUEENSLAND BALLET
BALLET FACTS
EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NUTCRACKER Photo Company Artist Jack Lister (soldier)
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The Nutcracker
FACT
The first versions of The Nutcracker story originated in the old folk tales and legends of Bohemia and Poland. —
It began, as all good productions begin, with an old, dark story that has been adapted throughout time. At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, little Clara finds herself embarking on the magical adventure of a lifetime when her gift, a Nutcracker, comes to life! Clara is whisked away to the enchanting Kingdom of Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy presides over joyous dances and celebrations. Featuring Ben Stevenson’s dream-like choreography and Tchaikovsky’s enduring score, Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker is showing at the QPAC Lyric Theatre from December 13-21.
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FACT
Alexandre Dumas Pére
FACT
Its premiere on December 18,
Hoffmann’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, in 1815, and it was this version that was simplified into a two-act ballet. —
1892 was deemed to be a failure – critics and audiences
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declared the action to be flimsy, and they were disappointed. —
FACT
FACT
worker, Petipa began work
première over 120 years
eighteen months before the
ago, The Nutcracker has
production of the ballet, making
travelled far from
innumerable notes about every
St Petersburg. The original
aspect of the production –
choreography by Lev Ivanov is
choreography, characters, props
now no longer performed, but
and costumes. He planned every
the attraction of Tchaikovsky’s
stage of the action, including the
score and the suitability
sequence of the dances.
of the story for Christmas
Imperial Theatres, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, in 1891, and
FACT
by the director of Moscow’s
choreographed by Marius Petipa. The music was by Tchaikovsky and it premiered a week before Christmas, 1892. —
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—
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The ballet was commissioned
FACT
Since its less than auspicious
An extraordinarily methodical
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FACT
entertainment has inspired many choreographers to make their own version of this enchanting ballet. —
The Vic-Wells Ballet presented the first complete version of The Nutcracker outside Russia at the Sadler’s Wells
Unfortunately, Petipa fell ill in
Theatre on 30 January 1934.
1892, just at the time rehearsals
Robert Helpmann, newly
for The Nutcracker were due
arrived from Australia, was
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to begin, and Lev Ivanov was
cast in the Chinese Dance,
required to take over the
and among the anonymous
row Queensland Ballet will
production.
snowflakes was a little girl
present The Nutcracker, and we
—
called Margot Fonteyn.
are delighted Queenslanders
—
are embracing this as a festive
2019 is the seventh year in a
tradition.
Tickets available at queenslandballet.com.au
—
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
wrote an adaption of E.T.A
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INTERVIEW In the Wings Words by Mia Heathcote Senior Soloist
Becoming Juliet in Queensland Ballet’s recent exquisite Romeo & Juliet production was a romantic, transportive experience for Senior Soloist Mia Heathcote
QUEENSLAND BALLET
— Remaining in a dream-like state, I struggle to bring
After numerous weeks of preparation, it’s finally
my tired, aching body to a vertical status. I feel the lactic
time to do what this was all meant for in the first place…
acid build up, pumping through my legs from yesterday’s
to perform! I feel an overwhelming sense of adrenaline,
exertion. The thought of my morning coffee and the
a healthy amount of fear of the unknown, but mostly just
persistent desire to keep working in the studio helps me
sheer excitement to delve into the life of the character
to accelerate. But first, my morning ritual… Meditation.
I am about to portray.
I want to be in the best possible mind-set to
I hear the voices of my colleagues wish each other
take on the day and then to later take on upcoming
“chookas!”. The buzz in the air is electric. Before
performances. It’s a practice, it is not always easy to sit
curtain up, I am in my zone, focused, seeing only what
with a quiet mind at the most thought-racing time of the
is necessary and blocking out the rest. I practise a few
day, but if there’s something I’ve learned, it is that
steps just enough to build my confidence, being careful
NOW is all we ever have.
not to obsess. I then walk around backstage as if
Then, on the contrary, it’s rush hour, I am a little scattered when it comes to time management, but once
I were her, Juliet. My first step onto the stage is where things
I make it to work I’m ready to focus. I take some time to
completely transform, I no longer see the world through
prepare my body and iron out any niggles before our
my own eyes but through an innocent starry-eyed young
daily ballet class. I enjoy class as it’s where I can improve
girl who has not a notion of her fate. The nerves dissipate
my technique without any added pressure and focus on
as I feel at home here.
the little things that make a significant difference. I am excited and sometimes a little nervous for what
The story takes me on an incredible, elating, and impassioned journey. Romeo and I become a single
the day will bring. Every day is different, some better
entity and I’m lost within their world. The music carries
than others of course. I am happy to see my friends,
my every step and whilst I embody the pain of her
the people I work the closest with and who inspire me
misfortune, it is strangely therapeutic to my real-life
on a daily basis.
existence as it feels like an emotional release. I am loving,
Throughout the day we push our bodies, brains and artistic expression to the limit. Blood, sweat and
living and feeling every moment. As the curtain comes down, I’m enveloped with a
yes, occasionally there are tears, but only because
sense of relief and pure gratitude, I’ve done it, we’ve all
this unique career means more to us than most could
done it! I am proud of what we have achieved here, and
imagine. Thoughts float throughout my mind, and
I was lucky enough to live my dream.
without doubt the minds of my colleagues, such as,
Slowly, I bring myself back down to earth. I become
‘I could have done better’, or ‘I hope I can make it
me again. It’s time to rest and rejuvenate before
through this’, then sometimes it’s ‘that was blissful to
journeying back into fair Verona to reach that feeling
dance’ or ‘what if the stager doesn’t like me?’ and ‘it
that only a live performance can give you.
would be my dream to dance that role’, and then there is always, without fail, ‘OUCH!’ But more often than not, I try to let my internal Photo Senior Soloist Mia Heathcote
thoughts sound more like this: ‘just breathe and have gratitude’.
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— Mia will be performing in Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the QPAC Lyric Theatre, December 13-21, 2019
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
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QUEENSLAND BALLET
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Photos Left: Principal Artist Lucy Green Top: Company Artist David Power and Principal Artist Lucy Green Bottom: Company Artist Pol Andrés Thió
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CELEBRATING MOVEMENT
ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
Season 2020 Shoot AUGUST 2019
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FINAL WORD
Bright lights beckon QUEENSLAND BALLET
Dancer apprenticeship program makes strides across the seas
— There’s a moment in Loughlan Prior’s The Appearance
consistently getting higher, and I’m so pleased to be able
of Colour where a single dancer gazes upwards, cloaked
to confidently promote from within our Jette Parker
in a multicoloured spotlight, surrounded by pitch
Young Artist Program,” he said.
black. It’s a scene that captivated the audience at its recent season at the Brisbane Powerhouse, as part of Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke, and will no doubt enthral dance-lovers again when the Jette Parker Young Artists (JPYA) tour the show in the UK and Norway next year. And it’s quite an accomplishment – an international
“It continues to produce well-trained dancers with excellent technique and ability.” That the program is made possible by philanthropic contributions is also a fascinating feat. Oak Foundation comprises a group of philanthropic organisations based in countries around the world
tour, for the small group of dancers who make up the
and has gifted more than 2700 grants to not-for-profit
JPYA program within Queensland Ballet (QB).
organisations, including the JPYA Program at London’s
Named in honour of Jette Parker of Oak Foundation,
Royal Opera House (ROH) for young opera singers,
whose visionary support first enabled the initiative in
and QB’s Program for young dancers. Oak’s generous
2014, the JPYA program is an annual apprenticeship
support is contingent upon QB securing annual
program which fosters the talents of gifted young
match-funding from other donors; the Company is
dancers at the start of their professional careers. After
fortunate to have this continued support.
completing a rigorous audition process, a small group of
Any interested parties as well as contributors to
dancers join Queensland Ballet to refine their technique,
QB’s Program are invited to accompany the JPYAs on
access performance opportunities and enjoy elite
an exclusive Supporters Tour to London next year to
mentoring. They perform alongside Principals, as part
celebrate the dancers’ performances at the ROH as
of the Company ensemble, and with guest artists from
part of an International Youth Festival. Truly a sneak
around the world, including, this year, Australian and
peak into the ballet and arts worlds, the trip includes
New Zealand choreographer, Loughlan Prior.
experiences inside the ROH, Royal Ballet, English
It’s a dream start for any young dancer on the cusp of a professional career. Queensland Ballet recently released its 2020 list of dancers and it includes 23 former JPYAs across Soloist, First Company Artist, and
National Ballet and the Tate Modern, as well as tickets to special performances and private functions. It’s just one distinct way the arts connects people, on and off the stage.
Company Artist ranks, accounting for a staggering 48 per cent of the Company. Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO is clearly impressed Photo JPYA Hayley Thompson
with the program’s outcomes. “I’m very proud to see our Company standard
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— If you would like to get involved with the Supporters UK Tour, or for any information on the JPYA program, contact the QB Foundations Team foundation@queenslandballet.com.au or (07) 3013 6662
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ISSUE #1 DECEMBER 2019
Tickets on sale now
Principal Artist Lucy Green
Creative Direction Designfront
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Photography Jez Smith
Photo by David Kelly Company Artist Mali Comlekci
Queensland queenslandballet.com.au