Every year dancers in Western Australia come together to compete in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Australia’s Festival of Dance. A mammoth event taking place over 5 days and culminating in a Gala performance on the final evening, the Festival is a springboard for many aspiring and pre-professional dancers in the region.
Held at the John Curtin Theatre at John Curtin College of the Arts the event takes place over a long weekend from 1 – 5 June and will see 400 or more dancers from ballet schools across Perth compete for prestigious scholarships and awards across various categories. The Gala which takes place on the final evening of 5 June reprises all the Festival award recipients winning performances and will also feature a guest performance by students from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The evening culminates in the presentations of the scholarships including the David McAllister Cup – named after Artistic Director David McAllister AM of The Australian Ballet who was born and trained in WA.
WA Regional Manager for the RAD Shelley Yacopetti says “The Festival of Dance has grown so much in recent years. We are thrilled to host an event which is open to all WA dance students not just RAD. We are particularly excited to have an incredible group of adjudicators this year including Lana Jones (Principal Dancer with The Australian Ballet) and partner, Daniel Gaudiello (former Principal Dancer The Australian Ballet), Cédric Ygnace (Ballet Master for West Australian Ballet) and Daryl Brandwood (former dancer with The Australian Ballet, West Australian Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre, Expressions Dance Company)”
Event Information:
Date: June 1 – 4, Gala Evening June 5
Where: John Curtin Theatre, John Curtin College of the Arts
The community of Ausdance WA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of all Lands and Countries on this continent. We pay particular respect to Elders, Cultural and Community Leaders, and emerging leaders. With this understanding of the country’s First Peoples, we are grateful for our place in learning and serving dance, Arts and Culture in Western Australia.
Always Was. Always Will Be.
