DAWN WELLER – BALLET SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Dawn
Weller
brings to The Graduate College of Dance over 35 years of experience in
the international ballet world. Trained in South Africa and abroad by
prominent figures in the field of dance, Dawn joined The State Theatre
Ballet in 1965 and moved rapidly through the ranks to principal dancer
status by the age of 19. During her career as a dancer, she built up an
extensive repertoire that included all the major classics, full-length
dramatic works, shorter ballets and works created for her by leading
20th century choreographers. She was the first South African ballerina
to be the subject of a book (Dawn Weller: Portrait of a ballerina)
and was the subject of several national TV documentaries. On many
occasions Dawn was the recipient of leading awards for dancers. Her
contribution to dance was acknowledged by South Africa when she was
awarded the Order of Meritorious Service Silver (O.M.S.S.), having
the Dawn Weller floribunda rose named after her in 1994 and
receiving the Nederberg Award in 1996 for "her contribution to
Ballet and creating a company of international standard".
Appointed Artistic Director in 1983 while continuing to perform for the
next 8 years as ballerina with the company, she acquired for the company
works by many of the worlds leading choreographers. During her 17 years
as Artistic Director Dawn was responsible for the staging of over 80
performances annually, taken from the company's repertoire of some 60
ballets whilst continuing to add new and challenging works by
contemporary choreographers. As dancer and director Dawn had the
opportunity of working with some of the greatest dancers and
choreographers of our time, including Natalia Makarova, Dame Margot
Fontyn, Sir Anthony Dowell, Dame Merle Park, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir
Robert Helpman, Stephen Jefferies, Lucette Aldous, David Bintley, Ronald
Hynd & Val Caniparoli.
Dawn
was the founding Director of the contemporary State Theatre Dance
Company, The State Theatre Ballet School and a founder trustee of
President Nelson Mandela's Arts & Culture Trust. Dawn was a member of
the Artistic Committee for Nelson Mandela's Inaugural Gala in 1994 and
during that time launched ballet and movement classes for historically
disadvantaged & terminally ill children.
She has
served on the jury of various international competitions including the
VIII Moscow International Ballet Competition chaired by Yuri Gregorovich
and headed by the legendary Galina Ulanova. Dawn's lifelong contribution
to dance has been acknowledged by both the South African and Australian
Cecchetti Societies (honorary memberships) and the Royal Academy of
Dance (life membership)
In
August 2000 Dawn was invited to stage her full length La Bayadere
for the Hong Kong Ballet, this being the third major company to stage
this lavish 3 Act ballet since it's world premiere in 1996.
On
emigrating to Australia in 2001 with her family Dawn took up a position
with the Oueensland University of Technology as guest Lecturer with the
Dance Department.
In 2002
Dawn was appointed Director of The Graduate College of Dance. She has
since introduced an all-encompassing syllabus, staged her own
highly-acclaimed productions of The Nutcracker, La Sylphide and
La Bayadere, and has consolidated the standing of The Graduate
College of Dance as one of Australia's leading dance institutions.
http://www.tgcd.com.au/the_director.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBMbplkRG4c |
