Ballet helping kids move through life beautifully

Ten lucky children from around the country travelled to Sydney on 4 and 5 December for an all expenses paid Sleeping Beauty Slumber Party.

Tim O’Leary, General Manager NAB Community & Corporate Responsibility, said the bank is delighted to offer this unique opportunity to young dance enthusiasts.

"As Education Programme Partner of The Australian Ballet, NAB is passionate about supporting young dancers as they work towards reaching their potential and we are pleased to make this opportunity a reality for ten children," said Mr O’Leary.

The ten children who headed to Sydney were:

• Zoe Miller, Blakeview SA
• Kimberley Gill, Moonee ponds VIC
• Ethan Mulligan, Heathmont VIC
• Heidi Drijver, Belmont VIC
• Bonnie Dornom, Yeppoon QLD
• Samuel Rhodes Hodgetts, Calamvale QLD
• Emily Annand, Wembley WA
• Dylan Chalk, Kakadu NT
• Erika Wilkinson, Samford QLD
• Charlotte More, Port Macquarie NSW

The prize included return airfares to Sydney, all transfers, one night at the Four Seasons Hotel, a pyjama party, an exclusive reading of Sleeping Beauty and most importantly, tickets to The Australian Ballet’s production of Stanton Welch’s The Sleeping Beauty on Saturday 5 December.

Following the performance, the ten lucky winners, plus a parent or guardian, were also treated to a post performance function where they met some of the dancers they had seen on stage as well as The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director, David McAllister.

Check out some photos from the weekend in the gallery!

A partnership between NAB and The Australian Ballet, My Home Town Inspiration was established to recognise and reward ballet schools around Australia for their great work in inspiring and educating young dancers.

The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director, David McAllister, said the passion and commitment of teachers across the country was a key motivator for many dance students to strive for the top. "It is in the very early years that the seeds of inspiration are planted and the fundamental principles of ballet are taught," McAllister said. "And now, thanks to NAB, we are delighted to highlight the great work that is done at the grassroots, and give something back to some of the schools that have inspired our current dancers."

The four dancers that participated in the inaugural My Home Town Inspiration initiative were:

• Lana Jones, Canberra Youth Ballet School, Canberra ACT
• Jarryd Madden, Francessca-Louise Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, now known as Dynasty Dance Studio, Wauchope NSW
• Gabby Raetz, Premier Dance Academy, Milton QLD
• Sarah Thompson, Toowoomba School of Dance, Toowoomba QLD

The dancers spoke with students about the journey that took them from the dance school to The Australian Ballet, highlighting the important role that their local school played in their development. Their former teachers joined the session to share memories of the dancers’ early classes and students were given the opportunity to ask questions prior to the events concluding.

View photos from the 2009 My Home Town Inspiration initiative in the gallery!

The successful ballet schools were selected by a panel of judges from The Australian Ballet and NAB following a nationwide promotion on nab.com.au/ballet throughout May and June. Over 750 entries were received, making the selection process a difficult task for the judges.

The final ten schools were selected based on their ability to demonstrate what it was that made their school unique and how the school and students would benefit from hosting a NAB Dance the Dream workshop. Most of the entries were submitted by enthusiastic and passionate students and community members on behalf of the school.

Lynette Wills and Adrian Burnett, two former dancers from The Australian Ballet, recently hosted workshops in the following locations: Kerang (VIC), Esperance (WA), Booragoon (WA), Salisbury (SA), Coffs Harbour (NSW), Richmond (NSW), Moranbah (QLD), Emerald (QLD), Tamworth (NSW) and Bella Vista (NSW).

Workshops comprised of an exclusive class hosted by one of the former dancers from The Australian Ballet for a select number of students, followed by a Q&A session for the school and the wider community.

We had a great time inspiring and educating young dance students from regional and metropolitan centres around the country through NAB Dance the Dream in 2009 and thank you once again for your fantastic entries.

Don't forget to take a look at the pictures in our photo gallery and stay tuned for more great competitions and exclusive giveaways!

Fans were given the opportunity to win tickets to two special performances on two very different stages – the opening night of The Australian Ballet’s Concord and the 2009 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Our lucky winner, Justine Scott of Vermont South, told us in 25 words or less how both ballet and footy inspire her in the following entry:

Leaping, bounding,
bodies intertwined...
Strength and discipline,
skills so refined.

Guts, determination,
Blood, sweat and tears...
Opportunity to take risks,
and release all your fears!

Justine will be the most popular mum in town when she tells her football mad son and dance enthusiast daughter about her win. Congratulations!

Through NAB's partnership with The Australian Ballet and support of their Education Programme, the students watched in awe as the dancers were instructed in a shortened class followed by excerpts from the Company's touring programme of Ballets Russes-inspired works including The Nutcracker, Poems and Songs of Light, all in exquisite full costumes.

The Dancers Company is The Australian Ballet's regional touring group, featuring guest artists from The Australian Ballet alongside graduating students from The Australian Ballet School. As part of their regional tour, the Company provides educational experiences through their NAB partnership, such as the one for the Gippsland Grammar School students designed to both inform and entertain newcomers to the world of ballet.

"The students couldn't believe how much work went into being a ballet dancer and how fit they all were," said Jessica Bryan, Gippsland Grammar School Year Nine teacher.

"They all commented on how much more admiration they had for ballet dancers, so much so that a number of them were hoping to go back to the performance being held that evening".

The Dancers Company left Sale bound for their next stop, Geelong, leaving behind twenty very delighted and inspired, young Gippsland dancers.

The school was selected at random from our list of subscribers to the NAB Ballet website (another good reminder to subscribe if you haven't already!).

Here are two excerpts from letters we received:

"The night was absolutely fantastic and enjoyed by everyone that came along..... The school organised a bus from Ballarat that arrived in Melbourne with plenty of time to spare. The girls used this time to walk around the ballet exhibition that was on at the Arts Centre at the same time. They had a great time looking at the various costumes, props and several videos of past performances and it really got them in the mood for the main event that evening.
The actual performance was a stunning Australian take on an old theme and the girls really got to appreciate how stories could be told via dance. They couldn't stop talking about it on the bus on the way home - and here I was, thinking they'd all be worn out and fall asleep! Again, thanks very much for the opportunity you gave the school."

"Thank you for the tickets to the Australian Ballet's Nutcracker. It was absolutely beautiful. The kids were mesmerized by the dancers. It was also just before their exams so to see the professional dancers was quite inspiring. I'm sure those who went had much higher results."

Do you have a story to tell us about a performance you have seen or any Ballet news? Write to us at ballet@nab.com.au

For most it was their first time at the Ballet and for some it was the first time in a real theatre and the experience was not lost on them.

The 'Introduction to the Ballet' class was an opportunity for the students to see the dancers of The Australian Ballet demonstrate their training in a practice class on stage. This was followed by a complete scene from The Nutcracker - the Story of Clara.

"It was such a unique experience for us all and we are so thankful for the opportunity," said South Yarra prep teacher, Mrs Pam Vilsten.

"The children weren't quite sure what to expect but they absorbed it all and asked so many questions. They are still talking about it!" she added.

When the students returned to school they each drew a picture of their ballet experience. Some of the beautiful illustrations and some comments from the young artists can be viewed here.

The sun wasn't even up but that didn't deter the enthusiasm of the young dancers or their parents as this wasn't any regular ballet class… it was an opportunity to become national TV stars for the morning on Channel Seven's Sunrise program.

The students quickly warmed up and were ready for the first live weather cross at 6.00am, demonstrating their warm up routines on the bar for the Sunrise weather presenter Fifi Box.

"Throughout the show, the Utassy students elegantly pirouetted, plied and pointed their way around the studio for the cameras but the absolute highlight was performing alongside two dancers from The Australian Ballet, Gabriella Raetz and Jarryd Madden.

"The students couldn't believe Gabriella and Jarryd were so natural and friendly," said Sue Hayes, Principal of the Utassy Ballet School.

"At first they were a little in awe but quickly relaxed when they realised how warm and encouraging they both were".

Gabriella and Jarryd were treated like royalty by the students on their arrival and were taken aback by the attention they received.

"We couldn't believe they were so interested in us as we were just as excited to be there to visit them," Jarryd said.

"It was really refreshing for us to get back to a community ballet school as it reminded us of when we were young and we would have loved an opportunity like this," he added.

The students were fascinated to see how the Sunrise program came together and acted like natural stars when it came to the live TV moments… perhaps not realising they were being watched by over 350,000 people!

The Sunrise appearance was to promote the NAB Dance the Dream program which is currently calling for entries for the chance to win a dance class at their ballet school with a member of the Australian Ballet. Entries close on June 30.

‘Class on Stage' was a once in a lifetime experience for the Newcastle students who watched dancers from The Australian Ballet run through their warm up routines including basic stretches, barre exercises and even some Pilates techniques, finishing with a run through of some current enchainements.

"We are so grateful for the experience as the students returned to school absolutely inspired," said Penny Fleming, Head Teacher, Performing Arts (Dance and Drama).

"It was quite enlightening for them to see professionals going through the same warm up routines they do back at school with such discipline and respect, not to mention doing it so beautifully," she added. "They now realise all their hard work can lead to something great".

After the class the students were able to ask questions and chat with a couple of the dancers, Andrew Wright (Coryphée) and Brooke Lockett (Corps de Ballet). The dancers provided inspiring insight into their careers, their current performances and even daily routines which the students were interested to know sometimes included gym work and Pilates classes. Brooke was even happy to give advice about make up after the students discovered the dancers' usually do their own prior to each performance.

The students returned to school inspired and straight into rehearsals for their upcoming performance in the Hunter's annual ‘Starstruck' event, no doubt with new motivation!

The twelve lucky students from the Carmel Amelia School of Dance in Woodend, Victoria were centre stage as part of a photo shoot for the new NAB Ballet Education website, meeting dancers from The Australian Ballet, Vivienne Wong and Marc Cassidy.

While some lovely photographs were the aim of the day, the students did have some time to pick up tips on technique from the stars and were left extremely inspired by the experience.

The Carmel Amelia School of Dance was one of the first schools involved in the NAB Dance the Dream pilot program in 2007, back then having the opportunity to meet the Australian Ballet's Lisa Bolte.

"Just like with Lisa in 2007, the kids were in awe of both Vivienne and Marc during the photo shoot," said Mrs Carmel Horsfield, Director and owner of the Ballet School.

"It was wonderful this time to have both Vivienne and Marc here for the students to meet as it gave both the girls and boys someone to identify with," she added.

Some of the results of this photo shoot can already be seen throughout this website. Plus their images will also be featured on posters and flyers promoting NAB Dance the Dream that will be sent to ballet schools, customers and NAB branches around the country.

And for their efforts, the twelve students were left with gifts of pointe shoes and DVDs all signed by Vivienne and Marc that will no doubt continue to inspire them for a long time to come!