Meet the graduate: Kevin Jackson
Studied: Australian Ballet School
Now: Former Principal Artist, Australian Ballet; Artistic Teacher at the Australian Ballet School.
Your best memory of your studies?
My best memories while undertaking my Advanced Diploma of Dance was having two roles created for me. The first was a pas deux with Juliet Burnett choreographed by Mark Annear for our Level 8 pas de deux exhibition. The second was being involved in the creation of Leigh Rowles’s Nutcracker and dancing the title role of the Nutcracker Prince. The experiences taught me how to work with choreographers and developed my passion for a career as a Principal Artist with the Australian Ballet.
What is the main overall lesson you learnt?
I developed an understanding of the art form and was guided through many life lessons as I developed from boy to young adult. I had world-class teachers and mentors who supported me in becoming not only a professional dancer but a well-rounded young man.
Perhaps the most crucial lesson was how to become a self-directed learner, which is a key factor in becoming a professional dancer. This taught me to be a self-aware, self-reliant individual and dancer as I embarked on a professional dance career.
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