The Australian Ballet School (ABS) has announced that Lisa Pavane will take over the reigns as director when Marilyn Rowe OBE retires at the end of 2014. Currently the deputy director of the ABS, Pavane joined the Australian Ballet in 1981 and was promoted to principal artist in 1986. In 1994 she left the company for the English National Ballet, where she was a senior principal ballerina until 1999.
Pavane will be the fourth director of the ABS, following in the footsteps of Dame Margaret Scott AC, DBE, Gailene Stock AM, CBE and Marilyn Rowe OBE. The position of director of the ABS was promoted nationally and internationally and Pavane was chosen from a pool of candidates from around the world. Rowe remarks, “I cannot imagine anyone better to take the Australian Ballet School into the future; her pedigree is exceptional. Lisa will ensure the School goes from strength to strength - she will build on past achievements with vision, passion, knowledge and integrity, ensuring the School remains at the forefront in dance training, education, research and student health and welfare. Under her inspirational leadership, the Australian Ballet School’s international reputation will be enhanced as it continues to create the stars of tomorrow and the artistic leaders of the future.”
Pavane is justifiably proud of her appointment. “The School has a history of visionary, dynamic and capable leaders and I feel honoured and privileged to be following in their footsteps,” she comments. “I have been fortunate to have worked closely with these inspirational leaders and in so doing have been greatly influenced by them. I am very excited as we move into the next era, continuing to train students and teachers of the highest calibre and contributing to the future of dance in Australia.”
Lisa Pavane
