Miss Amanda - R.A.D

I studied classical ballet and contemporary in Sydney from 1962-1973 with the Scully-Borovansky School of Ballet which was founded by Edouard Borovansky,one of the original Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo stars.

In 1974 I gained a scholarship to the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne and under the direction of Dame Margret Scott AC DBE, undertook an intensive 2 year full-time training program.I studied under such luminaries as Leon Kellaway,Marika Besobrasova, Janet Vernon AM, Kathleen Gorham, Anne Woolliams and Marilyn Jones. At completion of the 2 year scholarship I successfully auditioned for and subsequently joined the Australian Ballet Company in 1976.Under the direction of Sir Robert Helpmann and founding Artistic Director Dame Peggy van Praagh ,I performed alongside such luminaries as Dame Margot Fonteyn in The Merry Widow (1975) and Rudolph Nureyev in Don Quixote ( 1979) .During this time I performed with the company in the UK ( Merry Widow), USA, Israel,Turkey, Greece and the Philippines by invitation of Imelda Marcos for the World Bank Conference 1976. Other performances with the Australian Ballet Company include Giselle ,Spartacus ,La Fille mal Gardee, Romeo and Juliet ,Onegin,Les Sylphides and Sleeping Beauty

In 1978 I was promoted to ½ soloist.

In 1979 I was invited to join the prestigious Bayerische Staatsballet ( Bavarian State Ballet) in Munich,Germany , as a solist, under the direction of the Royal Ballet’s Lynn Seymore. During this time I worked with world renown choreographers such as William Forsythe, John Neumeier and Jiri Kylian whilst performing as soloist in ballets such as Taming of the Shrew,Nutcracker ,Romeo and Juliet,Onegin.La Sylphide and Swanlake .
During this time I also appeared as ‘special guest artist’ regularly with the avant-garde, award winning ‘Jessica Iwanson Company’ ( Munich) performing contemporary and cutting edge modern dance productions.

Upon returning to Australia, I formed the “Dance North Academy’
( Narraweena and Newport) and as Director of the school taught and choreographed classical and contemporary dance for local and international competition. Many ‘Dance North’ students went on to have careers in ballet,dance and musical theatre in Australia, the UK, Europe and the US.

I taught and choreographed for Sceggs Redlands Full time Ballet program under John Byrne during 1997-98. I have also been involved in the teaching or examining of classical ballet classes at the Sydney Dance Company , Ecole Classique,Tanya Pearsons Coaching Academy and Dynamite Studios.

I have adjudicated extensively throughout Australia and in Europe in all forms of dance ie ballet, tap ,contemporary ,jazz , musical theatre and some Irish Dancing.

I studied piano and singing for many years and was vocalist in the
‘ Mo Award’ nominated and award winning cabaret group ‘Network’
( 1986-1989) performing and singing nationally and internationally.
I also performed as Guest Vocalist with the Australian Ballet Company ( 1979) and at The Australian Ballet’s Anniversary celebrations at Fox Studios in a reprisal of an earlier ABC production.

I have appeared in several television productions including Sons and Daughters,Bodyline and Return to Eden.

I have choreographed shows for various league’s clubs, special events
( eg the Navy’s 75th Anniversary) backing shows for visiting international artists in addition to pieces for the Bayerische Staatsoper and Iwanson companies.

I have studied for a degree in Naturopathy and have completed 2 years of Anatomy and Physiology & Symptamology and Diagnosis, which is a distinct advantage in my knowledge of the body.

In more recent times I have been able to make use of my European contacts in the ballet world when consulting with a Sydney based travel company developing ballet tours throughout Europe focusing
on what happens behind the scenes in addition to viewing performances, company classes ,rehearsals, receptions with company and director etc.

I am a registered RAD ballet teacher.

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Woongarrah
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