AMPA DANCE

AMPA is thrilled to be sponsoring Sharp Short Dance Festival once again this year!

Head of Dance, Dr Maya Gavish, will be on the judging panel for the live finals this Saturday to award a secondment prize, inviting one lucky winner to train with the Bachelor of Dance students over a week.

CHOOKAS to all the participants!!

GET TIX HERE: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/sharp-short-dance-2023/

Image: Sharp Short Dance 2021, Taiga Kita-Leong.
FORM Dance Projects

Images from IN FLUX- AMPA's end-of-trimester show.🤩🤩
📷 by Wenny Tan Photographer

Dancers:
Bachelor and Associate of Dance students
Choreographers:
Anton, Kristina Wallbank-Hutton, Francesca Gozdek, Andii Huynh, Georgette Sofatzis, Alysia Jarvis
Guest choreographer:
Omer Backley-Astrachan
Student choreographers:
Olivia Beecroft, Ethan Barrett, Hannah Mourin

Photographer Stuart Watts is offering a FREE 2 hour portfolio photoshoot for August 2023.
Apply via on Instagram
Valued at $500

IN FLUX is done and dusted!

Thanks to the wonderful cast of T2 2023, and to the incredible production team.

See you all at the end of year show!

Photos:

Julian Chan recently landed from Florida after performing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Now he is alongside AMPA Dance alumni Nomi Reichardt, Clayton Webb, Sabrina Muszynski & Malachi Sylvester on the way to Bleach Festival. They will be performing ENCOUNTER GOLD as part of WE ARE HERE company, whose artistic director Emma Saunders, was guest choreographer for AMPA in 2021.

Chookas to all!

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‘GLITCH’ is a contemporary dance work exploring Déjà vu and its influence on the human psyche.

"During the process of creating ‘GLITCH’, I was truely in my element. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. I have learnt so much over this process about resilience, patience and how to navigate as a leader. I will most definitely take these learnings with me for future projects and choreographic opportunities. I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and talented group of dancers to work with, all of which made this process so memorable and rewarding. "
- Choreographer, Olivia Beecroft

Dancers: Amber Keller, Charlotte Mowbray, Clayton Webb, Elka Holden-Price, Kira Fort, Matika Mendel, Pearl Sunjic, Sasha Purves, Sienna Driver, Nathalia Henao

'GLITCH' will be featured as part of IN FLUX
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August
7:30pm
NIDA Playhouse Theatre
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=AMPANIDA23

'Trepidation' is a contemporary dance piece exploring a collection of phobias and their effects on the body and mind. Each scene will explore a different phobia, resulting in a climax of tension and fear, showing the contrast between the physical symptoms of phobias and the front we put on to disguise our real emotions.

"The process of developing, creating and producing 'Trepidation' has been an absolutely invaluable experience. Overcoming obstacles and working through problems has shown me how difficult yet, rewarding the creative process is. Knowing my cast is right behind me, has continued to push me to the best that I can be." - Choreographer, Ethan Barrett

'Trepidation' will be featured as part of IN FLUX at NIDA Playhouse Theatre
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August, 7:30PM
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=AMPANIDA23

Dancers: Aimee Murphy, Alana Teague , Ben Takatsuka, Ede Grieg, Emilia Taylor, Grace Large , Lia Zeng , Rebecca Spence, Rita El-Ghossein , Sophie Eccles

‘Shallow Pockets’ is a contemporary dance work that explores monetary attachment and the negative effects it can have on mental health.

"This process has given me an understanding of how to make choreographic ideas become a reality. It has taught me how to think quickly and how to articulate my ideas so that other bodies can adapt efficiently. It was important for me that the dancers made the movement their own so that the intention is conveyed in the most authentic and beautiful way.
I am very grateful for the talented cast who not only stuck with me and helped me grow, but brought their own creativity and passion to the project, making it more memorable and exceptional than I could have ever imagined." -Choreographer,

Shallow Pockets will be featured as part of IN FLUX
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August
7:30pm
NIDA Playhouse Theatre
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=AMPANIDA23

Dancers: Zoe Cooper, Sophie Jessup, Olivia Urbaniak, Melanie Van Zon, Malachi Sylvester, Charlotte Thomson, Assiya Hasna, Annaliese Abouhamad

The Australia Council is inviting applications for its latest round of grants.
In the Arts projects for individuals or groups category, grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000.

For the arts projects for organisations category, grants are available from $20,000 to $100,000.

Closing dates for both categories are Tuesday September 5, 2023, at 3pm AEST for projects beginning after December 1, 2023, and Tuesday 5 March, 2024 at 3pm AEDT for projects beginning after June 1, 2024.

These are two out of a number of year-round grants and opportunities for artists. More Information: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/

Image: Petrushka Game Set Match. Photo: Emma Fishwick

Nominations for the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships are open!
These provide unrestricted, tax-free grants over two years to individual Australian artists, creatives and cultural leaders.

The two criteria used to select Fellows are: outstanding talent and exceptional courage relating to their creative practice.

Nominations are welcome for artists, creators and cultural leaders across the entire spectrum of the visual, performing, interdisciplinary, new media and literary arts, as well as the humanities. Applicants to the program may not self-nominate and must include two referees who are not the nominator.

The Fellowships are intended for individuals in their ‘early mid-career’ – to be eligible, nominees must be at least seven years into their creative practice. They are also intended for those who will primarily be resident in Australia for the two years of their Fellowship.

Nominations for Fellowships in 2023 close on Sunday 27 August 2023.

More Information: https://www.myerfoundation.org.au/grant-opportunities-list/sidney-myer-creative-fellowships

📣Tickets for AMPA Dance faculty's end-of-trimester show, IN FLUX, are OUT!📣

The first half includes final choreography projects created by second-year students, Ethan Barrett , Olivia Beecroft & Hannah Mourin.

During the second half of the show, brand new work 'Topology of the Common' created by guest choreographer, Omer Backley-Astrachan, will premiere alongside faculty works by Francesca Gozdek, Kristina Wallbank-Hutton, Andii Huynh, Alysia Jarvis and Georgette Sofazis.

AMPA student Malachi Sylvester will also be featured together with Remy Rochester in 'Slip Stream', created by dance artist Anton.
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Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August
7:30pm
NIDA Playhouse Theatre
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=AMPANIDA23
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📷 Wenny Tan Photographer
Dancers: Tianye Kang, Melanie Van Zon, Ben Takatsuka

Sharp Short Dance is back for 2023!!

AMPA is a proud sponsor of the festival which provides a rare platform for aspiring choreographers and dancers, 21 years and under to display their works in a supportive environment.

Entries can be live works or dance films and are equally eligible for industry prizes and secondments.

Registrations open 27 July and close 12 October
More Info: https://www.form.org.au/sharp-short-dance-2023/

Image: Amari Leiva Urzua, Photo: Dom O'Donnell
FORM Dance Projects

Exciting News!

We are very pleased to share that AMPA Dance alumni, Sarah Goroch, has been appointed the General Manager of Ausdance NSW.
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Sarah will continue to advocate for dance artists, educators and organisations across New South Wales and deliver Ausdance NSW’s objectives of connection, education and growth.
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Sarah holds a Bachelor of Dance Performance from the Academy of Music and Performing Arts and a Certificate III in Arts Administration. She is a founding member of Dance Makers Collective’s Future Makers company since 2019 and has worked and collaborated with choreographers such as Patricia Wood, Jasmin Sheppard, Kristina Chan, Zachary Lopez, Nadia Odlum as well as working and performing alongside DMC company members. Sarah has been part of ‘We Are Here’ under the direction of Emma Saunders performing ‘Encounter Sydney’ and ‘Radical Transparency’. She has also had the opportunity to work with both nationally and internationally renowned companies and choreographers such as Alleyne Dance, Rebecca Jensen, Emily Flannery, Renata Commisso, Strut Dance, Dancenorth, AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre, and YDance Scotland. Sarah debuted her first independent work in 2018 following her second in 2019.
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Ausdance Nsw is the peak body for dance, for NSW. They create, support and promote opportunities for dance in NSW and invest in its ongoing development.

Lovely to host the aspiring dancers who visited the AMPA dance campus on Tuesday!

What a great opportunity for them to learn about studying dance in a tertiary environment and how the course at AMPA can benefit their future careers.

Here they are after their contemporary class with ballet technique lecturer Victor Zarallo!

“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X.

Congratulations to the 2023 Dance Graduates! Looking forward to following your life journey and dance careers. Wishing you all the success in the world.

Photos: Wenny Tan

Saffron McKeown, Jenna Vass, Shannon McCann, Charlotte Coleman, Sasha Purves, Ben Takatsuka, Jedd Scott, Flamenco del Mar and Marina Tamayo

This week, first year students participated in a production intensive, learning from incredible lighting designer, Margie Medlin. Not only did this enhance their understanding of lighting functionality, but also how to use lighting conceptually to support a dramaturgical intent.

'I always thought that lighting was just an added bonus to a dance, but now I realise it can change the meaning of the movement completely' - Elka Holden-Price

As part of the Bachelor & Associate Degrees, students undertake a Performance Production unit which covers topics such as film & sound design, providing them with the skills to produce their own work and communicate effectively with artists from other disciplines.

Congrats to alumni Bonnie Curtis Projects for her nomination for the uNCOILEd eXposed Residency.

With support from AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre, Merrigong Theatre Co & Create NSW, Bonnie will embark on a 12-day supported residency, working with AUSTI company dancers to develop and present new work.

Alumni Anna McCulla & Nicola Ford touring with Catapult Dance.

Images: Paul Dear

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓
Charlotte Thomson
1st year, Bachelor of Dance, Jazz Major

Why did you start dancing?
My mum enrolled me in ballet at the age of 4 after seeing how much I loved to dance at home. Whilst dancing was always something I enjoyed, as I got older I realised my passion for dance and my desire to pursue it as a career.

What do you like about dance?
I love discovering and testing my body’s capabilities by developing my skills and experimenting with new ways of movement.

What are you trained in?
From my training at North Shore Dance Academy and participation in co-curricular dance at high school, I have gained experience in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, national character, musical theatre, and salsa.

Why did you choose to come to AMPA?
AMPA’s Bachelor of Dance course sounded like the perfect balance of practical classes to develop technique, performance quality, and choreographic skills as well as theory classes where I was interested to learn more about anatomy, nutrition, dance film etc.

Why did you choose to join the jazz major?
I love how as a jazz major you get to experience both commercial jazz and theatre jazz from teachers with extensive performance and choreographic experience in the industry.

What are you hoping to become (professionally)?
Following my graduation from AMPA, I hope to dance professionally for several years working on cruise ships, back-up dancing, etc. before attaining a Master of Teaching and teaching dance to high school students.

Your first trimester at AMPA…..
AMPA was a place I instantly felt comfortable at because of how supportive the teachers were and how close all the dance students became in such a short amount of time.

Wenny Tan Photographer
Dancers: Charlotte Thomson Takatsuka Kang

AMPA Dance alumni, Nomi Reichardt, Sabrina Muszynski, Clayton Webb and 2nd year student, Malachi Sylvester will be performing Encounter this weekend at the Openfields Arts Festival with WE ARE HERE company.

Director, Emma Saunders, was guest choreographer for AMPA Dance programs in 2021.

Chookas to all!

WHERE: Openfield Arts Festival, Berry, NSW
WHEN: 24th & 25th June, 12pm

AMPA invites dancers to join the Bachelor of Dance Students for Experience Day!

Dancers will have the chance to participate in a contemporary class with Victor Zarallo, former Sydney Dance Company, and Scottish Ballet dancer.

AMPA's Head of Dance, Maya Gavish, will teach an improvisation class, followed by a Q&A, allowing aspiring dancers, choreographers and dance teachers to gain further insight into tertiary education and how it can benefit their future careers.

WHEN
Monday 11 July 2023

WHERE
AMPA Performing Arts Centre
4/85 O’Riordan St, Alexandria NSW

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ampa-dance-experience-day-tickets-616811007327


📸Wenny Tan
Dancers: Tianye Kang, Kira Fort, Charlotte Thomson, Melanie Van Zon, Ben Takatsuka

AMPA is delighted to announce that Omer Backley-Astrachan is the guest choreographer for trimester 2. Omer will be working with our dance students on a brand-new piece for the August Season at NIDA.

Omer Backley-Astrachan is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and educator based in New South Wales. Originally from Israel, Omer has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of choreographers, independent artists, and companies, including Kamea Dance Company, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Idan Cohen Dance Company, Jerusalem Dance Theatre, Jerusalem Ballet, Maya Levi, Rotem Tashach and Sally-Anne Friedland.

Since relocating to Australia in 2014, Omer has collaborated with Australian and international artists, such as Kay Armstrong, Dean Walsh, Vivienne Linsley, Mel O'Callaghan, Sue Healey, Marina Abramović, and Joshua Thomson. In 2018, Omer was appointed as course coordinator for Sydney Dance Company's Pre-Professional Year, where he mentored and guided the next generation of dance creatives in Australia for five years.

Omer's body of work has been supported by esteemed arts organizations such as Bundanon Trust, BrandX, FORM Dance Projects, Catapult Dance, Dance Makers Collective, and PACT. His works have been performed in prestigious venues and festivals across Australia and internationally, including Carriageworks, PACT, Sydney Fringe Festival, Fringe World Festival, Suzanne Dellal Centre, Tel Aviv Summer Dance Festival, Newcastle Art Gallery, The Lock-Up Gallery (Newcastle), and State Theatre Centre (Perth).

Omer was recently appointed as a producer and an associate artist with Catapult Dance in Newcastle, Omer continues to work with the independent sector and further explores and develops his artistic practice and work.


Omer Backley-Astrachan

AMPA's guest choreographer 2023, Marina Tamayo, will be featured in Sydney Film Festival in by Millepied and Goalpost Pictures .

The film is experimental, arty, and political. It involves contemporary & street dance, music and cinematography that will leave you spellbound. ✨✨✨

Opening night is at the Randwick on the 8 June 💃🏽💃💃💃
TICKETS ON SALE NOW !!
https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/carmen

Dancers, join us on Experience Day Tuesday, July 11!

ED is a great opportunity to participate in classes with AMPA's exceptional dance faculty & learn more about the Bachelor & Associate Degree of Dance programs before the audition the following day!

WHERE
AMPA Performing Arts Centre
Alexandria, NSW

TIMES
9am-1pm

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ampa-dance-experience-day-tickets-616811007327


Photographer: Wenny Tan, Dancers: Ben Takatsuka, Charlotte Thomson

Check out alumni Fiona Larkin & Ella Power in AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre fundraiser event ‘DANCE ON FILM’ Saturday 20th May @ 7pm!

AUSTI will present 2 dance films - one showcasing the company’s history and the NSW debut of Sue Healey’s film ‘Meeting Place’.

It will be a night of entertainment with circus, musical and comedic performances. With silent auctions, prizes and games as well.

WHERE: Wollongong Town Hall | The Music Lounge
COST: Adult $50 / Concession & student $30 / Child $25

DANCE ON FILM Fundraiser Join us in celebrating the rich history and success of AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre and help support our future endeavours! For over a decade, we have been training talented young Australian artists and captivating audiences with our innovative and creative performances.

Dance alumni, Shone Weiler (Israel), will deliver two 75 min GAGA Classes this week.
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to learn more about this unique movement language founded by world-renowned choreographer, Ohad Naharin .
Shone is a certified GAGA instructor and will only be in Sydney for a few weeks.

Thursday 11th of May 12:30pm
Sunday 14th of May 10:30am
AMPA Performing Arts Centre , Alexandria

FOR FURTHER DETAIL & REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/open-gaga-classes-with-shone-weiler-tickets-633005826467


OPEN DANCE CLASS

Images from INTERNO- AMPA's end-of-trimester show.✨✨
Wenny Tan Photographer

Dancers:
Bachelor and Associate of Dance students
Choreographers:
Belinda Hernandez, Francesca Gozdek, Andii Huynh, Georgette Sofatzis, Alysia Jarvis, Georgia Van Der Sman
Guest choreographers:
Victor Zarallo, Marina Tamayo
Student choreographers:
Clayton Webb, Malachi Sylvester, Connor Willis, Ben Takatsuka

Watch the artistic director of Batsheva Dance Company להקת מחול בת-שבע ,Ohad Naharin, describes the unique movement vocabulary he developed which is now the daily training for the dancers at the company.

Come take a class tomorrow (Thursday) at AMPA Performing Arts Centre with certified GAGA teacher Shone Weiler 10am.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/open-gaga-class-with-shone-weiler-tickets-628848321257?fbclid=IwAR23aV_dCoakqS3g6CGfwdfQfTLeXOMfUuxPW32oH8JgVjGGkMOAgC9USIs

Ohad Naharin discusses Gaga movement Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company and Batsheva Ensemble describes the unique movement vocabulary he developed which is now the daily training for t...

AMPA Alumni, Shone Weiler (Israel), will deliver a 75 min GAGA Class this Thursday 10am @ AMPA.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn more about this unique movement method founded by world-renowned choreographer, Ohad Naharin.

Shone is a certified GAGA instructor and will only be in Sydney for a few weeks.

FOR FURTHER DETAIL & REGISTRATION:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/open-gaga-class-with-shone-weiler-tickets-628848321257

Gaga Movement Language גאגא שפת תנועה Batsheva Dance Company להקת מחול בת-שבע

Congrats to AMPA Dance cohort for two incredible shows this weekend!!!! 💥 💥 💥

Big shout out to the talented choreographers for the superb work you’ve created, AMPA’s teachers for your ongoing contribution to the dancers’ professional & personal growth, and to the dedicated production team for ensuring everything runs smoothly.
💪💪💪💪

Thank you 🙏🏽 Thank you 🙏🏽



Wenny Tan Photographer

'If I Can’t Have You, No One Can' explores the extents we go to for the people we love as well as individuals’ obsession for their romantic partners.

"This process has allowed me to take an idea, place it into other bodies and see how those bodies adapt. It gives me experience in understanding how I can work with a group of individuals." - Clayton Webb

'If I Can't Have You, No One Can' will be featured as part of INTERNO at NIDA Playhouse Theatre
Friday 28th & Saturday 29th of April, 7:30PM
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=INTERNOO23
Dancers: Olivia Beecroft, Hannah Mourin, Sorelle Thomas, Annaliese Abouhamad, Pearl Sunjic, Zoe Cooper, Ede Greig, Nomi Reichardt, Rachelle Silsby

‘A Murmur’ showcases the phenomenon of flocking European Starlings and explores the characteristics of murmuration identified by scientists.

"The process of project taught me about artistry. It has given me the experience required to create a fully formed dance piece by bringing theories and ideas to life through dance." - Malachi Sylvester

'A Murmur' will be featured as part of INTERNO at NIDA Playhouse Theatre
Friday 28th & Saturday 29th of April, 7:30PM
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=INTERNOO23

Dancers: Kira Fort, Lia Zeng, Nathalia Henao, Elka Holden-Price, Grace Large, Matika Mendel, Sienna Driver, Charlotte Anne, Courtney Allerton

AMPA Dance is delighted to have registered physiotherapist, personal trainer and founder of Band-ITS & Strength4Dance, Sally Harrison, teaching Safe Movement Practice to the first year students this trimester.

Sally has been working as a dance physio for musicals such as Evita, West Side Story, and with the Bangarra Dance Theatre. Her career began as a professional freelance dancer with contracts in the UK, Europe and America before retiring due to a knee injury.

In classes, Sally guides the dancers on how to manage their bodies, from correct breathing to high level strength and movement training. Knowledge and skills developed equip students with practices to reduce the chances of injury throughout their dance careers. 🤓