Ballet and Dance

• Print

RAD Isobel Anderson (IA) Awards (Preliminary Classes)

Congratulations to the following students who were invited to participate in the Preliminary Class IA Awards on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 March:

Some of our IA Awards students in photo at top: Imogen Jeffery-Bilich, Sofia Vincent, Dante Minassian, Zara Anderson, Hannah Scott

The aim of the Isobel Anderson Awards is to enable candidates to build confidence in performance situations and provide additional performance opportunities; to establish a pathway to prepare candidates for international competitions; and to honour the contribution of RAD member Isobel Anderson. Participation of students from all levels is encouraged; as students gain experience and confidence from working with their peers and guest teachers. Students entering these Awards should have exposure to open classwork as well as syllabus.

Many congratulations to Imogen Jeffery-Bilich and Summer-Eve Smyth on reaching the Semi Finals for Intermediate, and to Chloe Scamps, Dante Minassian, Zara Anderson and Hannah Scott on reaching the Semi Finals for Intermediate Foundation, both of which take place Friday 12 March. This is an exceptional achievement and we are very proud of them all.

Holiday Classes and Rehearsals

The Ballet and Dance Academy are running Invitation Only classes and Rehearsals over the school holidays, Monday 12 April, Wednesday 14 April, Thursday 15 April and Friday 16 April. We are still in the process of finalising the timetable but please refer to Redlands Pulse for up to date information. 

Friends of Ballet and Dance (FOBD)

Our Friends of Ballet and Dance (FOBD) gathered last Thursday for their first event of 2021, a coffee morning at Mediterranean Paradise in Neutral Bay. Thank you to Sue Banfield, our wonderful FOBD President for organising, and to everyone that joined us to welcome our new families to Redlands Ballet and Dance.

In attendance were: Sarah Magnus, Edna Minassian, Lyndal Anderson, Tomomi Kusano, Kate Pryor, Karen Martin, Sue Banfield, Sylva Vencalkova, Sandra Bosnjak, Sophia Gaspar, Kristina Green, Tania Tan, Louisa Robertson.

New Jazz Teacher 

The Academy is thrilled to announce Elysha Manik has joined our team, teaching Jazz, whilst also continuing her professional performing career. Elysha will also be part of our Easter Holiday program

Elysha has been performing for most of her life. She has trained in various styles of dance focusing mainly in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary. Elysha completed the Musical Theatre focused, “Singer Dancer Actor” course at NIDA in 2006. She also gained her Certificate IV in Performing Arts at ED5 International in 2008 and she has a Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction. She is a regular teacher at Sydney Dance Company Studios open class and school holiday programs.

Recently, Elysha was the Dance Captain in Opera Australia’s production, Carmen, which was playing at the Sydney Opera House. This is the fourth time Elysha has been a part of this particular production. On this show, Elysha has been lucky enough to work with world renowned choreographer, Kelley Abbey, as the
Choreographer’s Assistant and Dance Captain during its season at the Melbourne Arts Centre in 2017. In the recent 2020 season, Elysha also worked as the Choreographer’s Assistant for the Revival  Choreographer Amy Campbell. Elysha performed as a dancer in two other seasons of the same production at the Sydney Opera House in 2016 and 2018.

Tuesday Pick-Up after Class – Preschool, Prep and Junior Students

We hope your child is enjoying their Ballet classes at Redlands.

When your child’s class concludes on Tuesday, Prep students are escorted to the parent/carer meeting point, being the school grounds outside Parkes Hall (opposite the play equipment).

Parents coming on to the campus should:

• organise a pre-arranged spot to meet their child after class
• continue to physically distance from other parents
• leave the grounds as soon as they collect their child

Children are not permitted on the play equipment after class. Thank you for your understanding.

Classes This Week

Here are our RAD Grade 4 students performing their Port de Bras.

Can’t Come to Class?

Please do not forget to let us know if sickness, injury or change of circumstance has occurred. Kindly email dance@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Ms K Martin
Head of Ballet and Dance Academy
kmartin@redlands.nsw.edu.au
02 9908 6461