1

Photo of Sydney Dance Company Dancers Todd Sutherland and Janessa Dufty by Wendell Teodoro SYDNEYDANCECOMPANY.COM SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR 2015 PROSPECTUS

CONTENTS

Message from Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela & Patron Darcey Bussell 3 About Pre-Professional Year & Course Outcomes 4 Reasons to join Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year 5 Course Overview 6 Sample Weekly Schedule 7 Evaluation and Assessment Procedure 8 Teaching Faculty 9-10 About Sydney Dance Company 11 How to Apply 12

2 MESSAGE FROM RAFAEL BONACHELA

Now in its second year, Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year provides a strong training ground for the next generation of contemporary dance professionals. As one of the most recognised and respected contemporary dance companies in Australia, it’s wonderful to be able to connect with students and provide them with invaluable training opportunities, knowledge and professional experience so that they can then go and launch rewarding careers in the creative industries.

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 thrives on an ethos of excellence and the Pre-Professional Year will allow you to develop your skills to the highest artistic and technical standards alongside our professional Company.

Course Director Linda Gamblin will guide and nurture you throughout the year alongside our outstanding teaching team. Their diverse expertise and teaching methods will encourage you to reach your true potential as an artist.

I’m looking forward to working with students as they develop into sound professionals – whether it’s as performers, choreographers, teachers or creatives – there are endless possibilities with the Pre-Professional Year course and we can’t wait to explore them with you.

RAFAEL BONACHELA ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

MESSAGE FROM DARCEY BUSSELL CBE Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring dancers to gain exposure to Australia’s leading contemporary dance company. Students will develop all the skills essential for a lifelong career in contemporary dance as well as being provided with unique professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities under the guidance of the artistic staffof Sydney Dance Company.

DARCEY BUSSELL, CBE PATRON SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

3 ABOUT SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY’S PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year provides a unique opportunity for aspiring professional dancers to attend a one year full time training course with Australia’s leading contemporary dance company.

Open to dance students that are at least 18 years in 2015, this nationally accredited one year intensive will offer students the chance to work with some of Australia’s most successful and award winning choreographers and educators with a major performance opportunity in Term 4. Students will develop their technique, artistry and performance skills alongside members of Sydney Dance Company led by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela.

Sydney Dance Company’s commitment to excellence and artistic innovation are core values of the Pre- Professional Year. There will be numerous opportunities for students to engage with the Company, from learning Company repertoire, to taking part in Company class, studying Cunningham-based technique and undertaking composition workshops led by Rafael Bonachela.

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year includes a Nationally Recognised Qualification CUA40113 Certificate IV in Dance through our partnering arrangement with Australian Teachers Of Dancing (RTO # 31624). As an approved course, you may be eligible to apply for New Start Allowance or Youth Allowance.

COURSE OUTCOME

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year aims to develop creatively astute and physically refined contemporary dance artists ready for the professional industry. You will gain insight into the full spectrum of contemporary dance practice and what it can offer including an understanding of the independent dance sector and auditioning for professional dance companies.

4 REASONS TO JOIN OUR PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR

• The course is aligned with Sydney Dance Company, Australia’s leading contemporary dance company, offering the highest calibre of technical expertise and artistic innovation.

• The course will provide you with invaluable networking opportunities with both the artistic team from Sydney Dance Company and leading Australian and international dance educators, artists and choreographers. You will learn from, work with and collaborate with the best of the best.

• The Pre-Professional Year embraces individualism, diversity and artistic expression. Your creativity will be embraced and nurtured and you will develop into a well- rounded, reflective and forward-thinking dance artist.

• We will support and encourage you to explore the art form and the endless possibilities of contemporary dance. You will be challenged to think outside the square, push boundaries and fully immerse yourself into the role of a contemporary dance artist.

• You will study at Sydney Dance Company’s home, based in the stunning arts precinct at Walsh Bay. You will be exposed to the endless cultural and artistic experiences that the city of Sydney has to offer and have access to our world-class Studio facilities.

• You’ll have the opportunity to perform in a professional setting for friends, family, industry leaders and the general public at the premium entertainment venue Sydney Theatre during Sydney Dance Company’s performance season.

5 COURSE OVERVIEW

COURSE STRUCTURE

This one-year course is designed to give students advanced skills and understanding in classical ballet and contemporary techniques as well as the associated skills and knowledge essential to becoming a professional dancer.

Course components include: • Contemporary dance technique • Classical ballet technique • Improvisation and composition • Partnering • Repertoire classes with members of Sydney Dance Company • Repertoire workshops from international choreographers • Professional practice including audition techniques & CV writing • Yoga and Pilates • Anatomy, nutrition and injury prevention • Choreographic development and performance opportunities

2015 PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR TERM DATES

Term 1: Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April (9 weeks) Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June (10 weeks) Term 3: Monday 13 July to Friday 18 September (10 weeks) Term 4: Tuesday 6 October to Friday 11 December (10 weeks)

The course will be held between the hours of 9am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday. COURSE LOCATION

The course will be held at Sydney Dance Company Studios located in the stunning Walsh Bay arts precinct:

Sydney Dance Company Studios The Wharf, Pier 4, 15 Hickson Road Walsh Bay NSW 2000 COURSE FEE

Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional one year full-time course fee is $13,000 (no GST). Installments of $3,250 are payable in advance at the commencement of each term.

This fee includes all costumes for performances and print material for course work. If you are accepted into the course following the audition, you will be requested to accept and confirm your position within 21 days from the date of acceptance. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is payable on acceptance then deducted from term 4 fees.

Students also have the opportunity to attend Sydney Dance Company’s adult open classes in a variety of dance styles at no extra cost. 6 SAMPLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9:00 - 9:30 9:00 - 10:45 9:00 - 9:30 9:00 - 10:45 9:00 - 9:30 Pilates Yoga Pilates Yoga Pilates Linda Gamblin Jolie Brook Linda Gamblin Jolie Brook Linda Gamblin

9:30 – 10:45 9:30 – 10:45 9:30 – 10:45 Ballet Ballet Men only Ballet Linda Gamblin Linda Gamblin Lucas Jervies (*Ladies to join Company class)

15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break

11:00 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:30 Cunningham- Ballet Contemporary Ballet Contemporary based technique Guest floor technique Guest technique Amy Craig Bary Natalie Ayton Hollingsworth

45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch

1:15 – 4:15 1:15 – 4:15 1:15 – 4:15 1:15 – 4:15 1:15 – 4:15 Contact Contemporary Sydney Dance Composition/ Structured improvisation dance technique Company task based Improvisation Alejandro Rolandi and partnering Repertoire development Dean Walsh Lee-Anne Litton skills Company Dancers Rafael Bonachela Kristina Chan Timothy Ohl

**Please note: This schedule is a sample only and is included to show you the range of the program. The schedule will vary throughout the year.

7 EVALUATION AND ASSESMENT PROCEDURE

To ensure that students are progressing satisfactorily, they will be assessed regularly throughout the year and provided with verbal and written feedback on their progress.

Assessments will include:

• Written assignments • Studio lecture demonstrations • Regular interviews with Course Director Linda Gamblin • Choreographic tasks • Studio performances • An end of year graduation performance

Upon satisfactory completion of the Pre-Professional Year, students will receive:

• A qualification CUA40113 Certificate IV in Dance – in partnership with ATOD (RTO # 31624) • A certificate of attendance • A personal reference from the Course Director

8 TEACHING FACULTY DIRECTORS Artistic Director: Rafael Bonachela

Rafael Bonachela was appointed Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company in 2009 and has since created several new works (we unfold, 6 Breaths, LANDforms, 2 One Another, Project Rameau, Emergence, Les Illuminations and 2 in D Minor), restaged several of his earlier works (Soledad, Irony of Fate & The Land of Yes & The Land of No), and commissioned some of the world’s most sought after choreographers.

Rafael will lead the Company through to its 50th anniversary in 2019, developing new works and inviting new and exciting collaborators. He is looking forward to working with Pre-Professional Year students in 2015, share his passion for contemporary dance and develop their choreographic skills.

Course Director: Linda Gamblin

Linda Gamblin trained with the Royal Ballet School in and has performed in a number of principal roles whilst working with The Australian Ballet, Royal Ballet London, National Ballet of Portugal and Sydney Dance Company. She has worked with choreographers such as Michael Clarke, Meryl Tankard and and has performed works by Jiri Kylian, Maurice Bejart and Jerome Robbins.

Linda is a passionate dance educator and has a keen interest in understanding the workings of the body. She attained her Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology whilst teaching Pilates, and has continued to develop her education on the muscular and skeletal systems and biomechanics. This knowledge has become an integral part of her teaching practice.

Linda is excited to collaborate with students through the Pre-Professional Year and educate, challenge and inspire them through the exploration of what dance practice is as well as what it can be. Linda is passionate about embracing a dancers’ individuality and uniqueness and working with them to reach their ultimate potential.

Read full biographies of our Directors online at sydneydancecompany.com/people

9 TEACHING FACULTY CLASSICAL BALLET Linda Gamblin Lucas Jervies CUNNINGHAM BASED TECHNIQUE Amy Hollingsworth Natalie Ayton CONTEMPORARY DANCE TECHNIQUE & CHOREOGRAPHY Narelle Benjamin Craig Bary Kristina Chan Lucas Jervies Joshua Mu Timothy Ohl Joshua Thomson IMPROVISATION AND COMPOSITION Kay Armstrong Elizabeth Ryan Alejandro Ronaldi Dean Walsh PARTNERING Joshua Consandine Paul Selwyn Norton SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY REPERTOIRE Amy Hollingsworth Sydney Dance Company Dancers APPLIED ANATOMY FOR DANCERS & INJURY PREVENTION April Ferris NUTRITION Sarah Dacres-Manning YOGA Jolie Brook PILATES Linda Gamblin

10 ABOUT SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

Sydney Dance Company is a legendary force in Australian contemporary dance. Its performances have appeared on the great dance stages of the world, from the Sydney Opera House in Australia, to the Joyce Theatre in New York, the Grand in Shanghai and the Stanislavsky in Moscow.

Its dancers have left audiences breathless, it has presented Australian art to the world, and brought the world to Australia. would be inconceivable without it.

Actively creating and touring new work under the Artistic Directorship of Rafael Bonachela, the Company maintains an ensemble of 16 exceptional dancers. Programs of dance include works by Bonachela and by guest choreographers including Jacopo Godani, Alexander Ekman and Gideon Obarzanek, as well as collaborations with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and with composers 48nord and Ezio Bosso.

Sydney Dance Company has its origins in a group founded in 1969 by dancer Suzanne Musitz. Soon known as The Dance Company (NSW), from 1975-1976 the Company was directed by Dutch choreographer Jaap Flier, before the appointment of Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy in 1976. In 1979 Murphy and his partner Janet Vernon instituted the defining name change to Sydney Dance Company and proceeded to lead it for a remarkable 30 years. Murphy and his collaborators created work that enthralled audiences in Australia and in extensive international touring, including being the first western contemporary dance company to perform in the People’s Republic of China.

Sydney Dance Company has been led since 2009 by Spanish-born Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela. Over the past five years the Company has cemented its reputation as a creative powerhouse, with an acclaimed group of dancers presenting new work by Bonachela and other choreographers, designers, composers and musicians. The Company has expanded its reach into the towns and cities it visits with work for schools and local dancers.

Since 1985 the Company has been a resident of the purpose-built studios at The Wharf in Sydney’s Walsh Bay, minutes from the city’s famed Bridge and Opera House. Its studios offer the largest public dance classes in Australia, with nearly 80,000 attendances annually. 11 HOW TO APPLY Applications must be submitted via our website by completing the form on the ‘Application Form’ tab: https://www.sydneydancecompany.com/classes-and-courses/ppy/preprofessionalyear2015/

The deadline for submission of applications is 18 August 2014. In 2015, applications are open to Australian and New Zealand residents only.

The invitation-only audition will take place at Sydney Dance Company studios on 14 September 2014. If you are invited to audition you will be expected to make your own arrangements to attend.

To be eligible to audition please ensure your application is complete by using the checklist below.

CHECKLIST:

• Completed application form: submitted by parent/guardian if under 18 • Application fee: $55 payment. Complete payment section on application form. • Photographs: Include 1 x headshot as an attachment with your application. This photo should be a JPEG file exceeding no more than 1MB. Title the photograph with your name and a description. For example, JaneSmith-headshot.jpg • Video footage: Supply a maximum of 2 x 1 minute video clips as a .mov file. In these videos we would like you to demonstrate a high level of dance technique through a short classical adagio and also a contemporary dance phrase that showcases technical line and ability. This video can be taken straight from your iPhone / smart phone and doesn’t need to be edited. Wear form-fitting clothing and film using natural lighting and a fixed camera position that captures your entire body. If you are unable to send a .mov file you can email a video link to fulltime@ sydneydancecompany.com. You can also send in a DVD if you are unable to or don’t feel comfortable posting online. Please post any DVDs to the following address:

Att: PPY Audition 2015 Sydney Dance Company The Wharf, Pier 4, 15 Hickson Road, Sydney NSW 2000

Make sure any DVDs sent to the above address are clearly marked with your name, address and phone number.

If you are having issues submitting your application or have any further questions, please contact Sydney Dance Company via email on [email protected] or call 02 9258 4800.

12