1 Pre-Professional Year 2020 Prospectus “The transformation I’ve experienced this year has been incredible. I feel excited and confident to take on more.” Telea Jensen Pre-Professional Year 2019 Contents 2 About Sydney Dance Company 3 About Sydney Dance Company 03 Message from Rafael Bonachela 04 Artistic Director, Sydney Dance Company About Sydney Dance Company’s 05 Pre-Professional Year Linda Gamblin 06 Course Director Omer Backley-Astrachan Course Coordinator Course Details 07 Sydney Dance Company is a national and international Sydney Dance Company has its origins in a group touring Company and has appeared on the great founded in 1969 by dancer Suzanne Musitz. Focus Areas and Term Dates 08 dance stages of the world, from Sydney Opera House Soon known as The Dance Company (NSW), from in Australia, to The Joyce Theatre in New York, 1975–1976 the Company was directed by Dutch Shanghai Grand Theatre and Théâtre National de la choreographer Jaap Flier, before the appointment of Accreditation 09 Danse Chaillot, Paris. Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy in 1976. Sydney Dance Company is a not-for-profit organisation Sydney Dance Company has been led since 2009 Course Fees 11 and is funded by the Australia Council for the Arts by Spanish-born Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela. and Create NSW. Actively creating and touring new The Pre-Professional Year course was launched in work under the Artistic Directorship of Rafael 2014. Now in its seventh year, the course continues Training Team 12 Bonachela, the Company maintains an ensemble of to provide pre-professional dancers opportunities to 17 exceptional dancers. Programs of dance include train intensively with Australia’s leading choreographers works by Bonachela and by guest choreographers and teachers, as well as pivotal international guest Alumni 13 including Antony Hamilton, Alexander Ekman, Gideon artists, in a world-class professional environment. Obarzanek, Melanie Lane and Gabrielle Nankivell as well as collaborations with the Australian Chamber Attributes of a Pre-Professional Dancer 16 Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and with composers 48nord and Ezio Bosso. How to Apply 17 @SydneyDanceCo Photo by Erik Sawaya. Dancers: Nicholas Caldwell, Eugenie English, Lillian Grant, Brielle sydneydancecompany.com ↑ De Thomasis, Charlotte Hoppe-Smith, Taite Williams & Jacinta Janik Message from Rafael Bonachela 4 About Sydney Dance Company’s 5 Artistic Director, Pre-Professional Year Sydney Dance Company Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year with industry leaders engaging with the course provides exceptional training for the next generation provides a unique opportunity for aspiring professional through workshops, masterclasses, choreographic of contemporary dance professionals. As one of the dancers aged 18 years and over to experience full- developments, artist talks and live performances. most recognised and respected contemporary dance time training with Sydney Dance Company. Driven This allows for an extraordinary opportunity to companies in Australia, it’s wonderful to be able to by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, Sydney Dance network with prominent members of the performing connect with young dancers and provide invaluable Company is at the forefront of contemporary dance arts industry. training, knowledge and professional experience so in Australia and internationally. Being amongst this aspiring dance artists can launch fruitful careers in the professional environment on a daily basis provides Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year offers performing arts industry. the pre-professional dancers with invaluable insights CUA60113 Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite into the life of a professional dancer while gaining Performance) over two years, and CUA50113 Diploma As a dancer and choreographer, I know how important a wider, well-informed perspective of the industry. of Dance (Elite Performance) if completing one it is to have the best training opportunities available year. Both nationally recognised qualifications are in order to reach your career goals. Sydney Dance The Pre-Professional Year is designed to encompass delivered through an auspice arrangement with the Company is proud to be at the forefront of Australian the full scope of professional dance training and Australian Teachers of Dance Limited (RTO 31624). dance and the Pre-Professional Year will allow you to focuses on advanced technical skills and somatic develop your skills to the highest artistic and technical practices while highlighting collaboration, inclusivity “ Creating an environment that allows dancers to develop standards alongside our professional company. and empowerment through every aspect of the course. an understanding of their own individuality and creative Sydney Dance Company’s artistic staff will guide you expression, within the wider community, is intrinsic to throughout the year supported by an outstanding The dancers train as an ensemble and work with the education outcomes of Sydney Dance Company. team of choreographers and educators. Their diverse over 35 national and international contemporary With high support the creative voice is heard.” expertise and teaching methods will encourage you choreographers, dance artists and educators each to discover your own direction as an artist. year. These exceptional industry specialists share Linda Gamblin their knowledge and skills in a co-creative environment Head of Training, Sydney Dance Company I’m looking forward to working with the dancers of and offer their expertise and unique movement Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year in philosophies abundantly. This rich exchange places 2020 as they develop into exceptional professionals. the program at the heart of the global dance community Photo by Jhuny-Boy Borja Whether it’s as performers, choreographers, teachers ↓ Dancer: Claire Abaijah-Griffin or creatives there are endless possibilities and we can’t wait to explore them with you. “ 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 “ 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’. Sydney Dance Company’s Pre- Professional Year is a unique experience in Australia.” Darcey Bussell DBE Patron, Sydney Dance Company Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director. ↗ Photo by Pedro Greig Linda Gamblin Omer Backley-Astrachan 6 Course Details 7 Head Of Training Course Coordinator “ I am eager to mentor young people through the “ I am inspired to be working with the next generation Pre-Professional Year Dancers exploration of dance while encouraging personal and of dance professionals as they emerge into the world Ranging from 18–24 years the Pre-Professional Year professional development. I am passionate about of dance. It’s important for me to encourage young dancers are a blend of high school leavers, full-time uncovering the spirit of a group environment, allowing artists to explore their own voice, and then use it loud dance students, university graduates and everyone in space to strengthen their authentic and confident self. and clear, taking an active role in the world in which between. The deliberate spectrum of age cultivates Only then does technical brilliance transpire.” we live. I see it as my purpose to guide young dancers respect, mindfulness, maturity and the acceptance as they embark on their professional careers feeling of a variety of diverse back stories. This reflects the Linda Gamblin (nee Ridgway) trained with the Royal inspired, empowered and curious.” industry and emulates a company-like environment. Ballet School in London and went on to perform principal roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Omer Backley-Astrachan is a NSW-based dancer Learning Environment Coppelia, Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, and Beauty and choreographer. Originally from Israel, Omer With over 35 national and international industry and the Beast while working with The Australian has worked extensively overseas with an array of Linda Gamblin, Head of Training specialists each year, analytical and critical thinking Ballet, The Royal Ballet London, National Ballet of choreographers and dance companies such as is developed to process and manifest the wealth Portugal and Sydney Dance Company. Kamea Dance Company, Kibbutz Contemporary of knowledge, ideas and expertise. The 1–3 week Dance Company 2, Idan Cohen Dance Company, duration of each workshop or choreographic Linda has worked with contemporary choreographers Jerusalem Dance Theatre, Jerusalem Ballet, Maya development expands technical skills and the self- such as Michael Clarke, Meryl Tankard and Graeme Levi, and Rotem Tashach. leadership required in a co-creative working space. Murphy and has performed works by Jiri Kylian, Maurice The focus on collaboration nourishes inclusivity Bejart and Jerome Robbins. Her career has seen her In 2014 Omer relocated to Australia where he based within the group and strengthens the efficacy of the travel extensively throughout the world with highly himself as an independent artist. He has worked individual. Being introduced to a variety of creative successful tours to Europe, UK, Asia, USSR and the and collaborated