Queensland Ballet

Giving Day is here! From 9am to 9pm on 9 September, every dollar you give to Queensland Ballet will be quadrupled. That means your $25 donation becomes $100. All funds raised are directed to our training Academy, which receives no Federal Government funding. Over 47,000 young Queenslander's dance – more than play netball, cricket, AFL or rugby. Show your state pride and help us raise $2 million in 12 hours. #FuelTheFuture #GivingDay #QueenslandBallet Donate now: https://qbgivingday.com/

Queensland Ballet recently had the joy of hosting our annual Leadership Lunch, a beautiful gathering of our most passionate ballet enthusiasts and valued corporate partners. Held at the picturesque Southside Restaurant, adorned with stunning blooms from Maison Fleur and complemented by exquisite wines from Symphony Hill Wines, the afternoon was a celebration of friendship, artistry, and shared purpose. We are sincerely grateful for the incredible support shown throughout the year. It is thanks to your generosity, belief in our vision, and unwavering commitment that Queensland Ballet continues to reach new and greater heights. Your support helps us nurture the next generation of dancers, share the beauty of ballet far and wide, and keep the magic alive, on stage and in the hearts of our community. From all of us at Queensland Ballet, thank you for being part of our journey. 📸 Angharad Gladding

Tribute to Garth Welch We are deeply saddened by the passing of Garth Welch, a beloved and influential force in Australian dance whose artistry, vision, and generosity shaped generations of performers and audiences alike.   Born in Brisbane in 1936, Garth began his dance journey with Phyllis Danaher before launching a remarkable career that spanned continents and decades. From his early days with the Borovansky Ballet to becoming a founding principal of The Australian Ballet, Garth’s presence on stage was magnetic—his performances in classics and groundbreaking new works alike left an indelible mark on the artform.   As a choreographer, teacher, and artistic director, Garth’s influence extended far beyond the spotlight. He nurtured talent, pushed creative boundaries, and brought a uniquely Australian voice to ballet. His legacy includes not only the roles he created and the ballets he shaped, but also the countless dancers he mentored and inspired.   Garth married Australian Ballet Principal Ballerina Marilyn Jones, and their sons Stanton and Damien followed in their footsteps to celebrated careers in ballet.   Inducted into the Australian Dance Awards Hall of Fame in 2002, a fitting recognition of Garth's life devoted to dance. His artistry, elegance, and passion will continue to resonate in studios, theatres, and hearts across the country.   We honour Garth’s extraordinary contribution and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance. Image credit: Image taken from Wikimedia Commons, from the State Library of New South Wales collection. 1962.

Since opening in 1952 as Australia's first ballet training academy, Queensland Ballet Academy has been dedicated to developing the artists of the future, providing them with world-class training programs that transform passion into careers. As part of a new initiative, the Academy is offering free ballet classes to boys aged 11 - 14, encouraging them to explore a future in the arts, with each class specifically tailored to male ballet techniques. ABC TV spoke to Academy Director, Christian Tàtchev about the benefits of ballet training and how it creates dynamic and strong, elite athletes. Learn more about the initiative below 👇 https://ab.co/3ViTcQ0

Queensland Ballet wins Innovation Award for Dance for Health partnership with Queensland Health. We’re honoured to share that our Dance for Health partnership with Queensland Health has received the Innovation Award from PAC Australia - Australian Performing Arts Exchange. This recognition celebrates a groundbreaking collaboration that is transforming lives through the intersection of arts and health. Since January 2024, Queensland Health has contributed over $500,000 to help us deliver programs that have reached more than 10,000 people across Brisbane and regional Queensland. From Dance for Arthritis to Ballet for Brain Injury, Dance for Parkinson’s, Dance Rehab in hospitals, and Ballet Serene in aged-care facilities, our classes promote physical health, self-expression, and social connection. As our Director of the Queensland Ballet Community Health Institute, Zara Gomes, said: “Through our landmark partnership with Queensland Health, our Dance for Health programs are an example of how arts can intersect with health to transform lives across communities. Winning this award reflects the dedication of our entire team, and we are thrilled to be recognised.” We’re deeply grateful to PAC Australia for this honour, to Queensland Health for their support, and to every participant who makes these programs so vibrant. This award belongs to all of you. Learn more about Dance for Health https://bit.ly/4lxiapN #DanceForHealth #InnovationAward #QueenslandBallet #CommunityImpact #ArtsInHealth #PACAustralia

Queensland Ballet is proud to collaborate with RSL Queensland on the groundbreaking Dance for Veterans program. Our experienced Teaching Artists work with ADF Veteran participants, using dance as a tool to facilitate the joy of music, movement, self-expression and social connection. This wonderful video from RSL Queensland says it all…

Ben Stevenson's version of The Nutcracker, is known for it's opulence and storybook aesthetic - full of rich textures, intricate details, and theatrical glamour. This, combined with strong character-driven storytelling with a narrative arc that makes it very accessible to audiences of all ages. As we prepare for the final season of Ben Stevenson's choreography, we're stepping back in time to go behind the scenes of The Nutcracker. In our first instalment of the Backstage Series, hear from Set Designer Tom Boyd below. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gd3Xwby4

Vale Louise Deleur    It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Louise Deleur, former Head of Contemporary Dance and Resident Choreographer for Queensland Ballet Academy. Louise passed away over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped the artistic lives of many.    Louise brought a unique and powerful vision to Queensland Ballet Academy, establishing a contemporary pathway that has informed the training program in place today. Her work was grounded in a rich and eclectic background, drawing inspiration from her early training and a wealth professional experience in Australia and abroad.     Before joining the Academy, Louise pioneered Australia’s first private, dedicated contemporary dance course, authored several technique programs, and self-produced and toured numerous company works. She was also the founder and Director of the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix, a testament to her commitment to nurturing emerging talent and fostering innovation in the field.    Louise’s philosophy centred on empowering dancers to trust themselves, explore movement with confidence, and grow into mature, expressive artists. She believed in the value of creative contribution and prepared her students to thrive in professional environments where collaboration with choreographers is key.    Many of our Company artists trained under Louise, and her choreographic works - featured in both Company and Academy productions, including our Gala, Aspire, and Soirée programs - have been cherished by audiences and dancers alike. Her influence is woven into the fabric of our Company and will continue to inspire future generations.    Louise’s legacy lives on in every dancer she inspired, every work she created, and every moment of courage she nurtured in others. She will be deeply missed. 

Just one week to go! Bespoke returns to the Thomas Dixon Centre for its highly anticipated 2025 season.   Premiering his new work Newborn Giants, acclaimed Canadian-born choreographer Robert Binet recently featured in InReview, speaking to his collaboration with blind theatre artist and Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Toronto, Devon Healey, PhD. Their partnership aimed to create greater intimacy between audience and performer — a vision that aligned with Bespoke’s spirit of innovation, accessibility, and risk-taking.   Running 31 July – 9 August, this is a season not to be missed.   Read the full InReview feature here 👇 https://lnkd.in/g_A9h878

At Queensland Ballet, we believe in the transformative power of dance to uplift communities and ignite dreams.   Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Energy Queensland, young artists in our Pre-Professional Program have been empowered to pursue their passion through the Ergon Energy and Energex Scholarship Fund.   With over 60 scholarship recipients to date, nearly half have launched international careers, while others continue to enrich the creative industries.   Together with Ergon Energy and Energex, we are proud to champion opportunity and artistic excellence for the next generation right here in Queensland.