Inspiring young Australians to Dance the Dream

NAB and The Australian Ballet have been busy recently, hosting workshops with local ballet schools around Australia following NAB’s inaugural Dance the Dream competition.

The successful ballet schools were selected by judges from The Australian Ballet 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 leading dancers from The Australian Ballet have been running 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 comprise an exclusive class hosted by a dancer from The Australian Ballet for a select number of students, followed by a Q&A session for the school and the wider community.

A joint initiative between NAB and The Australian Ballet, NAB Dance the Dream has been established to inspire and educate young dance students from regional and metropolitan centres around the country.

Children interested in learning more about NAB Dance the Dream or the ballet are invited to visit nab.com.au/ballet  - an “online ballet community” that has successfully connected young ballet fans throughout the country since launching in early 2009.  Registered users receive tips from professional dancers and are given access to leading dancer profiles and exclusive competitions.