Australian Ballet School (The)
Address
2 Kavanagh Street
SOUTHBANK
VIC 3006
Phone
03 9669 2807
Website
www.australianballetschool.com.au
Email
ask@australianballetschool.com.au
Students of The Australian Ballet School in Paul Knobloch's 'Grand Défilé'. Photographer: Sergey Konstantinov.
The Australian Ballet School (ABS) is the national centre for elite vocational dance training. As providers of a unique, professional dance-training program, the ABS nurtures and encourages the internationally recognised qualities of Australian dancers. The ABS offers training for students from all over Australia and overseas, producing dancers possessing a strong classical technique with a great emphasis on artistry, purity of line, coordination and a quality of movement. Full-time training commences at Level 4 with fully integrated academic studies and accredited courses from Level 5 through to Level 8.
Courses
The Australian Ballet School is a NVR RTO (provider code 3132, CRICOS code 00253A) offering the following, accredited courses:
CUA51520 - DIPLOMA OF PROFESSIONAL DANCE - (ELITE PERFORMANCE) (CRICOS 110134D) - Levels 5 & 6 (2 year course).
CUA60120 - ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF PROFESSIONAL DANCE - (ELITE PERFORMANCE) (CRICOS 110135C) - Level 7 (1 year course).
11008NAT - GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF CLASSICAL BALLET (CRICOS 108466B) - Level 8 (1 year course).
Main subjects: CUA5520 - Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance), (CRICOS 110134D)
Time: 2 years (Levels 5 and 6)
Aims: To encourage the special qualities of Australian dancers including youthful freshness, expressiveness, athleticism, musicality and strong technique.
Subjects: Various subjects supporting the technical training and artistic development of the student. In addition Music, Performance Psychology, Nutrition, Anatomy, Cultural Studies and VCASS Academic Program.
Performance opportunities: May include the following: Morning Melodies; Showcase; End of year performance.
CUA601120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance), (CRICOS 110135C)
Time: 1 year (Level 7)
Aims: To produce graduates of the highest calibre who are capable of integrating effortlessly into The Australian Ballet and top professional dance companies in Australia and around the world.
Subjects: Various subjects encompassing Technical Training, Artistic Development and Academic Subjects through VCASS.
Performance opportunities: May include Morning Melodies; Showcase; End of year performance.
11008NAT Graduate Diploma in Classical Ballet (CRICOS 108466B)
Time: 1 year (Level 8)
Aims: To prepare students for the dance profession at a virtuoso level by refining their dance technique and developing their professional skills through career development activities and performances.
Subjects: Various subjects encompassing Dance Technique, Professional Skills Development and Performance.
Performance opportunities: May include Morning Melodies; Showcase; End of year performance.
The Australian Ballet Regional Tour - the highest quality productions are taken to regional areas around Australia for approximately six weeks annually.
Contact hours per day: Level 4 (non-accredited course) approximately 4 hours per day plus academic.
Levels 5 – 8 (accredited courses) from approximately 4 hours (plus academic) to 7 hours per day.
Pre-requisites/entry requirements: Entry into The Australian Ballet School’s Part-Time Program (Levels 1-3) and Full-Time Program (Levels 4-8) is by audition only.
Main teachers: Lisa Pavane (Director to June 2024), Megan Connolly (Artistic Director and Head of School from July 2024) Philippa Crawley, Narelle Forbes, Kevin Jackson, Lucas Jervies, Michela Kirkaldie, Irina Konstantinova, Sergey Konstantinov, Sabrina Lenzi, Joanne Michel, Melanie Moravski Dechnicz, Andrew Murphy, Lyndelle Steer, Christine Vavladellis, Lynette Wills and Bradley Smith.
Audition date: Digital auditions are now open: Refer to website www.australianballetschool.com.au/pages/auditions
Audition requirements: Refer to website www.australianballetschool.com.au/pages/auditions
Fees: After School, Full-Time and Boarding fee schedule visit www.australianballetschool.com.au/pages/fees
Scholarships or subsidies: A number of bursaries are awarded each year on grounds of financial need. Bursary applications are treated in confidence and allocation of funds depends on the number of applicants and funds available. There are several merit and criteria based scholarships offered to students. Applications for these scholarships are received as part of the Bursary applications process and are awarded at the discretion of the School’s director. There are generally two monetary, merit-based Awards for Excellence per year level for Levels 2–7. These year-level awards are announced at the end of each year and are credited to fees for the following year.
Possible career options: The Australian Ballet School’s eight level program aims to produce graduates of the highest calibre who are capable of integrating effortlessly into The Australian Ballet and top professional dance companies in Australia and around the world. The training program nurtures and encourages the special qualities of Australian dancers, which have been internationally recognised and acclaimed for many years. These qualities include youthful freshness, expressiveness and the joy of dancing; combined with athleticism, a natural dramatic ability, musicality and a strong technique. The Australian Ballet School Training Program produces dancers of a strong classical technique with a great emphasis on artistry, purity of line, coordination and a quality of movement.