Pre-Professional Year 2024 Prospectus

“My time with PPY has taught me the immense value of self-reflection and self-assessment without being hindered by judgment. Through the variety of choreographers we work with, I have discovered many kinds of processes that attract and inspire me, bringing genuine motivation.”

Eliza Flowers Pre-Professional Year 2022–2023

Pre-Professional Year 2024 Prospectus

About Sydney Dance Company

Sydney Dance Company, celebrating more than 50 years of defining contemporary dance in Australia, is a national and international touring Company and has appeared on the great dance stages of the world, from Sydney Opera House, to The Joyce Theatre (New York), Shanghai Grand Theatre and Théâtre National de la Danse Chaillot (Paris).

Sydney Dance Company is a not-for-profit organisation and is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts and Create NSW. Actively creating and touring new work under the Artistic Directorship of Rafael Bonachela since 2009, the Company maintains an ensemble of 17 professional dancers. Programs of dance include works by Bonachela and by guest choreographers including William Forsythe, Antony Hamilton, Alexander Ekman, Gideon Obarzanek, Melanie Lane and Gabrielle Nankivell as well as collaborations with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and with composers 48nord, Bryce Dessner and the late Ezio Bosso.

In 2014, Sydney Dance Company launched the Pre-Professional Year program providing world-class professional training in an unparalleled environment. 2024 will be the eleventh year of this program. With ten years of graduates carving their own unique paths in Australia and around the world, the course is constantly evolving, both informing the industry and being informed by it.

h Company dancers Emily Seymour & Jacopo Grabar in ab [intra] (2022). Photo by Pedro Greig.

Message from Rafael Bonachela Artistic Director, Sydney Dance Company

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year provides exceptional training for the next generation of contemporary dance artists. As one of the most recognised and respected contemporary dance companies in Australia, it’s wonderful for Sydney Dance Company to be able to connect with students and provide invaluable training, knowledge and professional experience so aspiring dance artists can launch fruitful careers.

As a dancer and choreographer, I know how important it is to have the best training opportunities available in order to reach your career goals. Sydney Dance Company is proud to be at the forefront of Australian dance, and the Pre-Professional Year will allow you to develop your skills to the highest artistic and technical standards alongside our professional Company dancers. Sydney Dance Company’s artistic staff will guide you throughout the year, supported by an outstanding team of choreographers and educators. Their diverse expertise and teaching methods will encourage you to discover your own direction as an artist. I’m looking forward to working with the dancers of Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year in 2024 as they develop their technical skills and artisty.

Rafael Bonachela, Artistic DIrector

“With sophisticated technique, authentic movement and a strong sense of the artist within, Pre-Professional Year graduates are brave and generous when working within the contemporary dance industry.”

Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director, Sydney Dance Company

h Photo by Pedro Greig

The Wharf Studios

Sydney Dance Company’s home is on the lands and over the waters of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

Sydney Dance Company moved into the Wharf Studios in 1986. A unique space, hewn from Sydney’s industrial heritage, our studios have been home to generations of renowned dancers and the foundation of performances that have brought world-wide acclaim for Australian culture. Over the years, we have taught hundreds of thousands of people to dance in our Studios. The beautiful studios on the Wharf, sitting on the water at Walsh Bay, have become synonymous with Sydney Dance Company.

As part of the NSW Government’s landmark Walsh Bay Arts Precinct redevelopment, the transformation of our home began in 2018 and saw us return to the Wharf in 2021. This significant reconfiguration and refurbishment has been our first major upgrade and has created an environment which meets the needs of both our exceptional dancers and students, and enthusiastic, committed dance class patrons.

The state-of-the-art studios and facilities provide a myriad of opportunities to delve into dance, performance, training and wellness. In addition to five studios, Sydney Dance Company has a Conditioning Studio, a fully equipped weight training and rehabilitation gym and a 79-seat black-box studio theatre for regular performance and industry networking opportunities.

“I have been so fortunate to be involved with dance companies worldwide for over 30 years. It is so important for a young dancer to develop the skills necessary for a successful career within an immersive ‘company environment’ or as a freelance professional artist. Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year is a unique experience in Australia.”

Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, International Patron, Sydney Dance Company

h Photo by Pedro Greig

About Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year

Located at our Wharf Studios in the heart of Sydney, Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year is a unique experience for aspiring professional dancers to approach full-time training alongside a resident dance company. A wide and multifaceted view of the dance industry is developed through training in the immersive professional environment of Sydney Dance Company.

Encompassing a wide spectrum of industrybased dance practices, the Pre-Professional Year dancers train as an ensemble and work with over 40 choreographers, teachers and company affiliates each year. The expansive and highly curated program offers a diverse range of practices and movement philosophies, forging a direct link to the global contemporary dance community.

Spanning two years, analytical and critical thinking is developed to process and manifest the wealth of knowledge, ideas and expertise that is openly shared. Each extended workshop, masterclass or choreographic development emphasises both the expansion of technical ability and the self-regard required in a professional setting.

Pre-Professional Year dancers will complete the CUA51520 Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) in the first year and an CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) in the second year of training. (RTO #45863).

“From experiencing life in a full-time dance company to exploring the pathway of an independent freelance artist, choreographer or teacher, the Pre-Professional Year will provide the guidance and care to empower you to find your individual career.”

Linda Gamblin, Head of Training, Sydney Dance Company

h Photo by Daniel Boud. Dancers Mia Hamilton and Arlie Williams, rehearsing Anima repertoire by Rafael Bonachela.

Linda Gamblin Head of Training

Linda Gamblin trained with The Royal Ballet School in London and went on to perform soloist and principal roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, Beauty and the Beast and more, while working with The Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet (London), National Ballet of Portugal and Sydney Dance Company. Linda has worked with contemporary choreographers such as Michael Clarke, Meryl Tankard, Graeme Murphy and Gideon Obarzanek and has performed works by Jiri Kylian, Maurice Bejart and Jerome Robbins. Her career has seen her travel extensively throughout the world with highly successful tours to Europe, UK, Asia, USSR and USA. Studying and teaching Pilates, Linda attained her Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology which has contributed to her unique approach to the muscular and skeletal systems and biomechanics in classical ballet. Linda’s extensive professional development and personal interest in mindfulness, mental health and psychology are integral to her ongoing work with young people.

As Sydney Dance Company’s Head of Training, Linda Gamblin pioneered the Pre-Professional Year in 2014. Since then, Linda’s approach to dance training continues to be applied to every aspect of training at Sydney Dance Company. Linda holds the qualifications Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113), Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management (CUA50313), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110), First Aid Certificate and Mental Health First Aid Certificate.

“I am thrilled to inspire young people through the exploration of dance while encouraging personal and professional development. I am passionate about both uncovering the spirit of a group environment and allowing space for the individual to confidently accept and mature their genuine nature in preparation for a professional career.”

Linda Gamblin, Head of Training, Sydney Dance Company

h Photo by Daniel Boud

Juliette Barton Training Associate

Juliette Barton is an industry specialist in contemporary dance and related physical practices. With a performance career spanning over 20 years, she has worked with an extensive array of choreographers including Rafael Bonachela, Alexander Ekman, Graeme Murphy, Jacopo Godani, Emanuel Gat, Russell Maliphant, Andonis Foniadakis, Gideon Obarzanek, Gabrielle Nankivell, Adam Linder and Keneth Kvanstrom. Juliette was a Company dancer at Sydney Dance Company for 12 years, with her final performance in 2021.

Throughout her career, Juliette has performed to critical acclaim across Australia and the globe including in New York, London, Germany, France, Russia, China, Korea, Columbia, Brazil, and Chile. As a choreographer, Juliette has created solo works for Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed 2014 season, and the Art Gallery NSW Archie Plus program in 2020. As a contemporary dance teacher and coach, Juliette has taught extensively across Australia to professional companies including Sydney Dance Company, Chunky Move and Bangarra Dance Theatre as well as high calibre training institutions including WAAPA, VCA, Transit Dance, National College of Dance, and across all of Sydney Dance Company’s advanced training programs including the Pre-Professional Year (PPY), Professional Intensives, Youth Ensemble and Sydney Dance Company’s Open Class Program.

Most recently Juliette acted in the role of Rehearsal Associate at Sydney Dance Company during the Company’s rehearsal and performance of Ohad Naharin’s Decadance and is currently in the role of Training Associate facilitating and overseeing the training of the Pre-Professional Year dancers.

Juliette holds a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

h Photo by Daniel Boud

Tobiah Booth-Remmers

Course Coordinator

Tobiah Booth-Remmers is a freelance dance producer, creator, performer, teacher and facilitator from Adelaide, Australia. Since graduating from the Adelaide College of the Arts’ Bachelor of Dance Performance course in 2009 Tobiah has worked with a wide range of Australian and international artists, companies and studios.

Most notably he has worked with Branch Nebula, Brink Productions, Larissa McGowan, Lina Limosani, Gabrielle Nankivell, Garry Stewart, Paul Gazzola and Paulo Castro among many others. Tobiah has performed in major arts festivals including the Adelaide Fringe Festival (Aus), Adelaide Festival of the Arts (Aus), Brisbane Festival (Aus), WOMAD (Aus), Dance Massive (Aus), Dublin Dance Festival (Ire) and has performed at the Barbican Centre, London.

Along with his performance work Tobiah is also a prolific creator and teacher. His work extends from large scale curated warehouse dance festivals through to solo movement, text and imagery pieces, and often centres around humanity and how we interact with ourselves and each other.

He has choreographed many short works for a variety of commissions and programs as well as training institutions including three full length works with his Adelaide based performance collective; The Human Arts Movement. Tobiah has created short works and lectured in dance at Adelaide College of the Arts, LINK Dance Company, Queensland University of Technology, Transit Dance and Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional Year.

Tobiah also maintains a strong international presence as a dance practitioner and pedagogue. He regularly returns to Europe for residencies, performances and teaching after previously living in Brussels for two years. His performance work has been developed and presented in Bulgaria, Brussels, Sweden and Greece. Tobiah has taught workshops on his own creative and movement practice in Belgium, Israel, France, Mexico, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Greece and Bulgaria.

In 2022 Tobiah was the Associate Artist at Australian Dance Theatre. As part of this program the company supported him with a year long residency and resources to produce a new full length experimental work.

As a regular guest teacher and choreographer with PreProfessional Year since 2015, Tobiah joined Sydney Dance Company as PPY Course Coordinator in 2023.

h Photo by Daniel Boud

Lexy Panetta Learning Associate

Alexandria Panetta (Lexy) is a Sydney-based artist, choreographer and academic with a strong interest in dance performance, improvisation, writing and film. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts, BA Dance and BA Education, BA Arts and Social Sciences, Honours in Dance Studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). In 2022, Lexy received a competitive research scholarship to complete a Master of Philosophy (MPhil in Creative Practice) at UNSW. Her thesis ‘Enacting (Re)Actions: Affect Theory and Embodied Resonance in Improvisational Contemporary Dance and Compositional Pedagogy’ contributes to the educational sphere in NSW and Australia and analyses the core of improvisation; supporting the creative value and potential of choreographic development through improvisational skills. Lexy works as a passionate academic in both dance and education faculties at the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) and continues her aspirations as a dance researcher, incorporating theory, philosophy and practice in her written work. Lexy has been a long-standing tutor and collaborator for The Arts Unit (Department of Education) working in their programs and ensembles. As the Learning Associate for the Sydney Dance Company, Lexy offers her insights and perspective in educational approaches to dance and creativity. She is passionate about the alignment and application of valued industry skillsets to training and education. Lexy creates and delivers academic resources and content to the Pre-Professional Year.

Eugénie English Learning Administrator

Eugénie English is Alumni of Pre-Professional Year 2018, graduating with a Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113). After completing Pre-Professional Year, Eugénie continued her education through the University of Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies. Eugénie takes interest in multidisciplinary practices and research, and how the practice of dance evokes critical thinking skills. Through her role as Learning Administrator, Eugénie facilitates the journey from enrolment through to graduation for each student, supporting communication and accreditation delivery for the PreProfessional Year team.

h Photos by Daniel Boud

Felicity McGee Conditioning Studio Manager

As a trained Pilates instructor with a Diploma in Contemporary Pilates Teaching Methodology with Tensegrity Training, Felicity has also completed specialised training with leading breath and posture physiotherapist Jakki Tobin. She has worked extensively as a Clinical Pilates Instructor in a number of Pilates studios throughout Sydney and now works alongside our Company Physio and Exercise Physiologist to oversee the strength and conditioning programs of the dancers and general public.

Felicity uses gentle hands-on guidance to facilitate the most efficient and pain-free biomechanics for each student. She passionate in in fostering a positive and curious relationship between each person and the way they think about moving and relating to their bodies. Felicity’s early training was at The Ballet Class, Rosebay, Elmhurst Ballet School in England, and she danced as an apprentice ballerina in Balletto di Siena.

Jolie Brook Yoga Practitioner and Somatic Mentor

Jolie Brook is a yoga teacher who offers the essence of yoga as a means of harnessing and strengthening the mind and body. Through her practice, Jolie supports the student in experiencing this interconnectedness recognising that they are not two separate entities but rather integral parts of the self. Her expertise in yoga is particularly valuable for dancers who can benefit greatly from the physical and mental aspects of the practice.

“A word that comes to mind when I reflect on my time in Pre-Professional Year is risk-taking. Daring to be vulnerable, daring to believe in yourself and daring to challenge doubt and preconceptions.”

Avalon Ormiston

Pre-Professional Year 2022

h Photo by Wendell Teodoro. Dancer Avalon Ormiston.

Pre-Professional Year Program Overview

Curriculum

The Pre-Professional Year program consists of two cohorts and runs Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, following the NSW school terms. The curriculum consists of daily classes including contemporary techniques, classical ballet, improvisation techniques, creative task skills, a variety of somatic practices including yoga and meditation and various industry lectures. Technical morning classes are followed by extended workshops and choreographic developments with prominent national and international choreographers.

Performances

The Pre-Professional Year program offers a myriad of opportunities for dancers to perform in formal and informal settings. From regular performances in Studio 5: Neilson Studio, Sydney Dance Company’s 79-seat black-box theatre, to a graduation performance season at a prominent Sydney theatre, the pre-professional students enjoy many opportunities to network with and present their work to industry leaders.

Professional Experience

In the first year of study, Pre-Professional Year dancers attend regular Company classes in a roster system throughout the year. In the second and final year of study, placements of up to two weeks are offered within Sydney Dance Company’s professional ensemble. During placements, students learn repertoire from Company members and artistic staff, watch studio runs and participate in rehearsals.

Conditioning Studio

In the expertly equipped Conditioning Studio, Pre-Professional Year dancers will receive personalised fitness and conditioning mentoring from Sydney Dance Company’s full-time Conditioning Studio Manager. The Conditioning Studio Manager offers a range of Pilates instruction and other pioneering conditioning concepts in conjunction with Sydney Dance Company’s Physiotherapist.

Wellness

All Pre-Professional Year artistic staff and management hold a Mental Health First Aid Certificate. Sydney Dance Company offers free psychological coaching and counselling through a third-party confidential service that supports Pre-Professional Year students.

Course Accreditation

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year offers two nationally recognised training qualifications through a specialised curriculum tailored to global industry standards.

The Pre-Professional Year comprises two cohorts of approximately 26 dancers. Ranging in age from 18 to 24, the two groups train separately, however from time to time will work collaboratively on shared projects and productions.

Successful applicants who have not yet completed diploma-level tertiary education or higher join the first year of training and complete CUA51520 Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance). All graduating first-year students can progress to the second year of training to complete CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance). Successful applicants who have already completed diplomalevel tertiary education or higher join the second year and complete CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance).

Sydney Dance Company as a Registered Training Organisation

Sydney Dance Company is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO# 45863).

Sydney Dance Company will monitor students’ progression throughout the course and ensure national requirements for training and assessing are met.

As a Registered Training Organisation, Sydney Dance Company is bound by federal legislation and holds ultimate responsibility for the education of students enrolled in nationally accredited qualifications.

Sydney Dance Company reports to government departments as necessary. For students who successfully complete all assessment requirements for each unit of competency, Sydney Dance Company will issue the final Nationally Accredited certificate.

Pre-Professional Year

Focus Areas and Term Dates

Focus Areas of Study

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year learning is delivered through highly practical sessions across five main focus areas. A typical day includes technique and conditioning classes (yoga, Pilates, classical ballet and contemporary techniques), workshops (improvisation skills, repertoire and industry lectures) and choreographic developments.

Focus Areas

I – Industry

Investigating current trends and industry infrastructure will focus the dancer on becoming job ready, implementing a critical and entrepreneurial approach to shaping a future in dance.

II – Technique

Cultivating critical and empirical enquiry into a variety of contemporary and classical techniques will develop a deeper understanding of how awareness drives sophisticated, deliberate movement.

III – Conditioning

Personal and physical development, self-awareness, resilience and self-care are brought to the forefront of training. Discovering rigor through mindful conditioning practice will inform the areas of injury prevention, applied anatomy and physiology, nutrition and wellbeing and positive psychology.

IV – Choreography

Exploring creative play, choreographic skills and scored and structured improvisation will enhance leadership skills to work in a professional, cocreative, collaborative environment. Studio showings of works in progress occur regularly throughout each term.

V – Performance

To contextualise, refine and redefine movement and performance qualities in the many rehearsals and performances throughout the year cultivates professionalism. Artistry is revealed through experimentation, informative feedback and debrief sessions. Dance on stage and screen, respectful and safe workplace, and other essential aspects of performance are explored within this focus area.

Term Dates 2024

Term 1 5 Feb - 12 April (9 weeks)

Term 2 29 April - 5 July (10 weeks)

Term 3 22 July - 27 Sept (10 weeks)

Term 4 14 Oct - 13 Dec (10 weeks)

Pre-Professional Year Accreditation*

Pre-Professional Year One

CUA51520 Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance)

CUACHR413 Develop choreography skills

CUACHR511 Create and perform complex dance pieces

CUADAN511 Refine ballet techniques

CUADAN512 Refine ballet performance skills

CUADAN515 Refine contemporary dance techniques

CUADAN517 Refine dance partnering techniques

CUADAN518 Develop expertise in allied contemporary dance techniques

CUADAN531 Refine dance techniques

CUAFIM511 Source funding for projects

CUAPPR512 Develop sustainability of own professional practice

CUAPRF511 Refine performance techniques

CUAPRF513 Prepare for and perform in competitive environments

CUARES501 Refine conceptual understanding of dance

CUARES601 Research and apply concepts of live performance practice

CUAWHS411 Apply movement and behavioural principles to conditioning

CUAWHS413 Incorporate anatomy principles into skill development

CUAWHS511 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance

Pre-Professional Year Two

CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance)

CUACHR511 Create and perform complex dance pieces

CUACHR611 Create choreography for stage and screen

CUADAN517 Refine dance partnering techniques

CUADAN518 Develop expertise in allied contemporary dance techniques

CUADAN531 Refine dance techniques

CUADAN613 Extend ballet techniques to a professional level

CUADAN617 Extend dance techniques to a professional level

CUADAN618 Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level

CUADAN631 Perform dance repertoire at a professional level

CUAFIM511 Source funding for projects

CUAMPF612 Manage stagecraft aspects of performances

CUAPRF511 Refine performance techniques

CUAPRF513 Prepare for and perform in competitive environments

CUARES501 Refine conceptual understanding of dance

CUARES601 Research and apply concepts of live performance practice

CUAWHS511 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance

CUAWHS611 Apply advanced gym and weight training to dance

Sydney Dance Company is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO #45863).

CUAWHS612 Develop strategies for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment

Pre-Professional Year Fees

Fees

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year fee is $16,000.00 (no GST is charged) per year of training. Once accepted you will be required to confirm your position within 21 days of receiving the letter of offer.

Access to Dance Classes

From January 2024 until course completion, all Pre-Professional Year dancers are offered complimentary membership to attend Sydney Dance Company’s open classes in a variety of dance styles.

Scholarship Opportunities

Sydney Dance Company offers a limited number of scholarships made available thanks to generous support provided by private donors. Dancers who have been accepted into the program and who are unable to meet the course fee requirements are encouraged to apply. Scholarship applications are assessed by Sydney Dance Company’s review panel on a case-by-case basis. Successful scholarship applicants will be contacted by the end of 2023.

h Photo by Daniel Boud. Pre-Professional Year Dancers in PPY22 Revealed.

h Photo by Daniel Boud. Dancers Sam Osborn and Sabine Roberts.

Pre-Professional Year Training Team

Pre-Professional Year Training Team

Linda Gamblin

Head of Training – including classical ballet, Pilates, conditioning, mentoring and coaching

Juliette Barton

Training Associate - including contemporary techniques, floorwork and tumbling, improvisation, Sydney Dance Company repertoire and other masterclasses.

Tobiah Booth-Remmers

Course Coordinator – including contemporary techniques, improvisation, and choreographic methodologies

Lexy Panetta

Learning Associate – including contemporary dance technique, academic studies

Felicity McGee

Conditioning Studio Manager

Jolie Brook

Yoga and Somatic Mentoring

Elizabeth Ryan

Meditation Techniques and Mindfulness

Dr Sallie Grey

Psychology and Counselling

When in residence, Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, Rehearsal Director Richard Cilli, Rehearsal Associate Charmene Yap and members of Sydney Dance Company’s professional ensemble will deliver classes, workshops and repertoire.

Recent Guest Teachers / Choreographers

Germaine Acogny (Senegal)

Natalie Allen

Kristina Alleyne (UK)

Sade Alleyne (UK)

Diego Alvarez (Costa Rica)

Emily Amisano

Kay Armstrong

Cyril Baldy (Germany)

James Batchelor

Narelle Benjamin

Tobiah Booth-Remmers

Joel Bray

Izzac Carroll

Shane Carroll

Jana Castillo

Kristina Chan

Penny Chivas

Idan Cohen (Israel, Canada)

Renata Commisso

Eliza Cooper

Matt Cornell

Eli Crawford

Davide Di Giovanni

Holly Doyle

Zoe Dunwoodie

Saskia Ellis

Cloé Fournier

Jess Goodfellow

Catherine Goss

Ayman Harper (USA)

Luella May Hogan

David Huggins

Victoria Hunt

Annie Jeffries

Alana Jeverett

Stephanie Lake

Prue Lang

Lucky Lartey

Adam Linder (USA)

Lee-Anne Litton

Zachary Lopez

Kaitlyn Malone

Leah Marojevic (UK)

Rikki Mason

Sinead McDevitt

Emma Moran

Tamas Moricz (Germany)

Cass Mortimer Eipper

Nikki Muscat

Gabrielle Nankivell

Casey Natty

Sophia Ndaba

Rhiannon Newton

Tony Osborne

Christen Patinyotis

Alvin Rangle (USA)

Gillian Revie

Alejandro Rolandi

Felix Sampson

Lee Serle

Todd Sutherland

Melissa Toogood (USA)

Pepa Ubera (Spain)

James Vu Ahn Pham

Kristina Wallbank-Hutton

Dean Walsh

Josie Weise

Miranda Wheen

Patricia Wood

Sam Young-Wright

Liesel Zink

h Photo by Daniel Boud. Dancer Keisha Sunderland.

Pre-Professional Year Alumni

Sydney Dance Company

Pre-Professional Year Alumni

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year Alumni have gained employment with the following contemporary dance companies, productions and independent directors and choreographers:

Australasian Dance Collective (Brisbane)

Australian Dance Theatre (Adelaide)

Ballet Junior De Geneve (Geneva, Switzerland)

Bangarra Dance Theatre (Sydney)

Catapult Dance (Newcastle)

Chunky Move (Melbourne)

Cirque du Soleil (Montreal, Canada)

Configuration (Sydney)

Crystal Pite/Kidd Pivot performances with Strut Dance (Perth)

Dance North (Townsville)

Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company (Frankfurt, Germany)

DV8 /Lloyd Newson (England)

Eileen Kramer (Sydney)

Force Majeure (Sydney)

Fresco Dance Company (Tel Aviv, Israel)

Göteborgsperan (Gothenburg, Sweden)

ITDansa (Barcelona, Spain)

Ivan Perez (Heidelberg, Germany)

Kristina Chan (Sydney)

Martin del Amo (Sydney)

Meryl Tankard AO (Sydney)

Moulin Rouge (Paris, France)

Narelle Benjamin (Sydney)

Ochre Dance Company (Perth)

Omer Backley-Astrachan (Sydney)

Opera Australia (Sydney)

Poetic Disaster Club (Den Hague, Netherlands)

Punchdrunk /Maxine Doyle (International)

Sara Black (Sydney)

Shaun Parker & Company (Sydney)

Stephanie Lake Company (Melbourne)

Strut Dance (Perth)

Sydney Dance Company (Sydney)

Sydney Experimental Arts Ensemble (Sydney)

TasDance (Launceston)

The Farm (Queensland)

Theo Clinkard & Company (Brighton, UK)

Wayne McGregor Dance Company (England)

West Side Story (New York City, USA)

h Photo by Wendell Teodoro. Dancer Tom Evans.

How to Apply

How to Apply

The first round Pre-Professional Year 2024 audition will be an online application process that includes a video submission. Selected applicants will be invited to a second round, in-person audition at Sydney Dance Company, Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road Dawes Point NSW 2000 on Monday 25 September 2023. Applicants who are invited to and are not able to attend the in-person audition will be assessed based on their online submission.

Audition Requirements

Sydney Dance Company encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds with different experiences in dance training. All applicants must be at least 18 years in the year of enrolment and demonstrate competency in classical and contemporary dance technique. It is recommended applicants be competent in written and spoken English, however support and adjustment to learning can be offered.

Eligibility

• An intermediate level of Classical Ballet

• Compelling competency in own genre or style

• Certificate IV level of dance education or equivalent

• Australian or New Zealand citizenship or an appropriate residency visa to reside in Australia for the duration of the program (Sydney Dance Company cannot arrange Student Visas)

Applications Open: 8 May 2023

All applications must be submitted online via our website: www.sydneydancecompany.com/advanced-training/ pre-professional-year/

Application Fee

Applicants are required to make the $65 application fee payment before completing the online application form. This fee is non-refundable.

Applications Close: 4 September 2023

Video Footage

Video footage is required for the first-round audition and needs to be submitted via the online application form. Applicants need to include three video links in the online application form. Each video should showcase technical strengths, knowledge and a sense of creative interest, and must include classical ballet and contemporary technique with an option of including improvisation.

• 1x Contemporary dance video

• 1x Classical Ballet technique

• 1x own choice of style or improvisation

Ensure:

• The video is clear and watchable. The video can be taken using an iPhone or similar and does not need to be edited to a professional standard.

• Suitable rehearsal attire.

• The video is of a solo performance and not of a group. The videos are best viewed via YouTube or Vimeo. Avoid using file sharing links (Dropbox / Google Drive / One Drive) if possible as the settings and restrictions on these platforms can delay viewing.

Privacy Settings

It is important to understand the privacy settings of the video-sharing platforms as Sydney Dance Company does not have control or authority over the safety of these platforms. Settings can be changed so that videos can be viewed with a private link only.

Alternatively, audition video footage can be uploaded to a USB and sent via post to:

2024 Pre-Professional Year

Sydney Dance Company

GPO Box 1598

Sydney NSW 2001

If further advice or information is required, please email fulltime@sydneydancecompany.com or call +61 2 9258 4886.

All information in this prospectus is subject to change without notice.

h Photo by Wendell Teodoro. Dancer Jannah Allen.