NEW PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR ONE YEAR OF FULL-TIME TRAINING WITH AUSTRALIA S LEADING CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY STUDENT PROSPECTUS 1 Photo of Sydney Dance Company Dancers Todd Sutherland and Janessa Dufty by Wendell Teodoro SYDNEYDANCECOMPANY.COM
SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR 2014 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 I m delighted to announce the launch of Sydney Dance Company s Pre-Professional Year in 2014. As one of the most recognised and respected contemporary dance companies in Australia, it s very exciting to be able to offer a strong training ground for the next generation of professionals, so that they can 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. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Course Director Linda Gamblin, who will guide and nurture students 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 and learning from 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 staff of 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 new, full time one year training course with Australia s leading contemporary dance company. Open to dance students from school-leaving age, this nationally accredited one year course 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 with Dance Director Amy Hollingsworth and undertaking composition workshops led by Rafael Bonachela. Sydney Dance Company s Pre-Professional Year includes a nationally recognised outcome (qualification CUA40111 Certificate IV in Dance) through a partnering arrangement with ATOD (RTO 31624). As an approved course, you may be eligible to apply for Austudy 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 wellrounded, 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 STRUCTURE COURSE OVERVIEW 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 2014 PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR TERM DATES Term 1: Monday 3 February to Friday 11 April (10 weeks) Term 2: Monday 28 April to Friday 27 June (9 weeks) Term 3: Monday 14 July to Friday 19 September (10 weeks) Term 4: Monday 29 September to Friday 5 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 Pier 4, 15 Hickson Road Dawes Point NSW 2000 COURSE FEE Sydney Dance Company s Pre-Professional one year full-time course fee is $12,000 (no GST). Installments of $3,000 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 Pilates 9:00-10:45 Yoga 9:00-9:30 Pilates 9:00-10:45 Yoga 9:00-9:30 Pilates 9:30 10:45 Ballet 9:30 10:45 Cunninghambased technique 9:30 10:45 Men only Ballet (*Ladies to join company class) 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 11:00 12:30 Cunninghambased technique 11:00 12:30 Ballet 11:00 12:30 Ballet 11:00 12:30 Contemporary dance technique 11:00 12:30 Applied Anatomy and injury prevention 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 45 min Lunch 1:15 2:45 Structured Improvisation 1:15 2:45 Contemporaryfloor technique 1:15 2:45 Sydney Dance Company Repertoire 1:15 2:45 Composition Workshop 1:15 2:45 Choreographic development 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 15 min break 3:00 4:30 Structured Improvisation Cont d 3:00 4:30 Contemporary and classical partnering skills 3:00 4:30 Sydney Dance Company Repertoire Cont d 3:00 4:30 Fitness training 3:00 4:30 Choreographic development Cont d **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 at Sydney Theatre on 13 October, held alongside Sydney Dance Company s professional season Upon satisfactory completion of the Pre-Professional Year, students will receive: A qualification CUA40111 Certificate IV in Dance in partnership with ATOD (RTO 31624) A certificate of attainment A personal reference from the Course Director 8
DIRECTORS TEACHING FACULTY 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 and Emergence), 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. Currently in his second term as Artistic Director, Rafael will lead the Company through to 2014 developing new works and inviting new and exciting collaborators. He is looking forward to working with Pre-Professional Year students to share his passion for contemporary dance and develop their choreographic skills. Course Director: Linda Gamblin Linda Gamblin trained with the Royal Ballet School in London 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 Graeme Murphy 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. Dance Director: Amy Hollingsworth Amy Hollingsworth took on the role of Dance Director at Sydney Dance Company in 2010 and since then has worked with Rafael Bonachela on we unfold, 6 Breaths, LANDforms, The Land of Yes & The Land of No, 2 One Another, Project Rameau and Emergence. She also supported guest choreographers Emanuel Gat (Satisfying Musical Moments); Jacopo Godani (Raw Models); Emily Amisano (yield for Contemporary Women); Stephanie Lake (Dream Lucid); Larissa McGowan (Fanatic for Contemporary Women and De Novo); and Lisa Wilson (Desire for Contemporary Women). Amy Hollingsworth will play an integral role in developing the contemporary dance technique of students through her own practice that has been highly influenced by Cunningham-based technique, exceptional classical training and her years of working alongside Rafael Bonachela. Read the full biographies of our Directors online at www.sydneydancecompany.com 9
CLASSICAL BALLET Linda Gamblin Joshua Consandine Catherine Goss Andrea Briody TEACHING FACULTY CUNNINGHAM BASED TECHNIQUE Amy Hollingsworth Natalie Ayton CONTEMPORARY DANCE TECHNIQUE & CHOREOGRAPHY Emily Amisano 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 Emily Amisano Sydney Dance Company Dancers APPLIED ANATOMY FOR DANCERS & INJURY PREVENTION Laura Hillenius NUTRITION Louise Fisher YOGA Jolie Brook PILATES Linda Gamblin 10
ABOUT SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY Sydney Dance Company is Australia s leading contemporary dance company. With more than 40 years of history, Sydney Dance Company commissions, presents and tours contemporary dance that inspires audiences and dancers alike. Led by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, the Company thrives on an ethos of collaboration and excellence working with the most exciting and engaging artistic talents both nationally and internationally. The Company s ensemble is currently comprised of 17 full time dancers and is Australia s largest contemporary professional ensemble. In addition to an ambitious national and international touring schedule, the Company is focused on developing new audiences for contemporary dance through an education program that includes school matinees, in-school workshops and vocational intensives for aspiring dance professionals. Sydney Dance Company is also renowned for being a strong training ground for dance. Our studios, located at our home in Walsh Bay, offer open classes taught by leading industry professionals in styles ranging from ballet to contemporary to hip hop and jazz to over 70,000 participants each year. Sydney Dance Company aims to create exceptional contemporary dance of the highest standard that inspires a variety of audiences to watch, enjoy, engage with and participate in this diverse and exciting art form. 11
HOW TO APPLY Application forms can be downloaded from Sydney Dance Company s website www. sydneydancecompany.com For further information, please contact Sydney Dance Company via email to fulltime@sydneydancecompany.com or call 02 9258 4800. Applications must be submitted via email to fulltime@sydneydancecompany.com. The deadline for submission of applications is 16 August 2013. The invitation-only audition will take place at Sydney Dance Company studios on 1 September 2013. 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. Application forms must be accompanied by the application fee and 2 x photos, see specific requirements below. The non-refundable application fee is $30 payable by electronic funds transfer or credit card. CHECKLIST: Completed application form: signed by parent/guardian if under 18 Application fee: $30 payable by EFT or credit card. Please complete payment section on application form. Photographs: Please include 2 x photos as attachments with your application. Photos should be JPEG files exceeding no more than 1MB each. Please title each photo with your name and a description. For example, JaneSmith-headshot.jpg We would like to receive: One headshot One current full-body dance shot in dance wear DVD AUDITION FOR INTERSTATE APPLICANTS: We encourage all potential students to attend the audition in Sydney to give you the best opportunity to be seen by our panel. However we do understand that this may be difficult for some interstate candidates. Please follow the initial application procedure described above. If your application is successful we would then request that you send us a DVD with the following footage: 32 counts of a classical adagio showing développés in all positions with port de bras Contemporary floor phase Approximately 45 second solo of your chosen dance style Only invited DVD submissions will be accepted following a written application. In 2014 Sydney Dance Company s Pre-Professional Year is not open to international applicants. 12