Spotlight on The Beaut Ballet Series 2025:
For the second time, The Australian Ballet collaborated with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia on The Beaut Ballet Series. Led by certified teaching artists Katrina Rank and Paris Wages, the program offered 4 classes at the Ballet Centre in Melbourne’s Southbank across July and August. Each session explored themes and music from the upcoming Spring program, Prism. Highlights included hearing Resident Choreographer Stephanie Lake speak about her newest work, 7 Days, followed by a special viewing of one of the rehearsals. What a treat to witness the beautiful dancers working on the creation of this new dance which will be featured in the Prism program, Sept/Oct in Melbourne and November in Sydney. Other beaut aspects included accommodation in pristine dance studios, home to the Company and School as well as the inclusion of live music. These elements were arranged primarily by The Australian Ballet Company Outreach and Education Director Jasmin Dwyer.
Many thanks go out to the DPA board for their support, our volunteers and fellow Melbourne teachers, Shannon Parsons and Gabi Stanger. Once again what a wonderful way to bring all of our Melbourne classes together in an inspiring and glamourous setting.
Participants below with choreographer Stephanie Lake (centre in all black) after rehearsal viewing
Photo credit: At The Beaut with TAB Education and Outreach Dir. Jasmin Dwyer, participant Agnes Chong, Paris, Katrina and Gabi
Melbourne winters might be colder than in other parts of the country, but the Hawthorn classes got a special treat at the end of May that certainly heated things up! Our Boroondara Council and YMCA supported class had a free African Drumming Workshop led by Master Teacher, musician and dancer, Appiah Annan. Ghanaian-born Appiah generously shared his culture and knowledge of drumming and dance. Below with workshop coordinator Esther Yenson.
It was so much fun having individual drums to play and watching Appiah dance for us. What an enriching experience!
June also brought a new Chair Yoga class to our YMCA rec centre. Several dancers from our Dance for Parkinson’s classes tried a seated yoga class with an emphasis on breath, posture and stretch. Many reported enjoying the meditative quality of the class which was taught by Paris Wages and centre yoga instructors Susie Mioni and Sasha Luckey.
