Description: 2018 National Centre for the Performing Arts Dance Festival: Australian National Ballet 'Sleeping Beauty'
Aka Kondo
Yaka Kondo was born in 1991 in Nagoya, Japan. At the age of three, he entered the Kanazawa Shiho Ballet Studio for dance training. In 2005, he won the second prize of the Japanese Grand Prix, and in 2006, he entered the International Summer School of the Royal Ballet. In 2007, he received a bursary from the Australian Ballet School at the American Youth Ballet Competition. He embarked on a tour with The Dancers Company in 2008 and joined the Australian Ballet in 2010. In April 2015, after his premiere, Giselle became the first Japanese principal dancer of the Australian Ballet.
Since joining The Australian Ballet, Kondo has participated in classical and contemporary ballet works created by Forsyth, McGregor, Murphy, Ratmansky, Wilton, and others, as well as plays as the main characters in the works of choreographers such as Ashton, Balanchin, Lifar, Macmillan and Wright.
He has starred in Christopher Wilden's Alice in Wonderland (as Alice, 2017), Wayne McGregor's Infrared (2017), David McAllister's Sleeping Beauty (as Aurora, 2015/2017), George Oglevi and Peggy Van Prager's Gralia (as Svanilda, 2016), Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake (as Odette/Odele, 2016), William Forsyth's Somewhat suspended in mid-air (2016), Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella (cinderella, 2015), Maina Gilgood's Giselle (as Giselle, 2015), Sir Kenneth Macmillan's Mannon (as Lesko's Mistress, 2014), Rudolf Nuriyev's Don Quixote (as Kitli, 2013).
Nominated for the Benoir Dance Award (2017) for the role of Alice in Alice in Wonderland by Christopher Wilden, won the Australian Award for Outstanding Dance Performance (2016) for the role of George Oglevi and Peggy Van Prager in Gerberia, and was nominated for the Best Ballet Dancer in Australia (2012/2015) and the Susan Morgan Bursary (2013).
Collaborated with Shanghai Ballet on Derek Dean's Swan Lake as Odette/Odile (2017). Participated in the 2016 and 2017 Yokohama Ballet Festival, and the 2011 and 2012 Dancers of the Year Tour.
Guo Chengwu
Growing up in China, Guo Chengwu began studying dance at the age of 11 and was admitted to the Beijing Dance Academy, where he was able to combine ballet training with theoretical study. Guo Chengwu won gold medals in the "Tao Li Cup" Dance Competition in China and the Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition, demonstrating his outstanding ballet talent. In 2006, Guo Chengwu participated in the prestigious Lausanne International Ballet Competition in Switzerland and won an award, receiving a full scholarship sufficient to support his professional ballet training. He used the prize money to go to the Australian Ballet School for further studies. During his time at the school, he toured with the dancers in Australia and won unanimous praise from the media for his outstanding performances in "Sleeping Beauty", "The Graduation Ball" and "Gloria". He joined The Australian Ballet in 2008 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2013.
He has starred in Gissel (as Albrecht, 2015), Dreams by Frederick Ashton (as Puke, 2015), Stanton Welch in Maihime (as Samurai, 2014), Peter Wright in The Nutcracker (as Prince, 2014), Rudolf Nuriyev's Don Quixote (as Basilio, 2013), Harold Rand's Etudes (as Actor Mazouka, 2012), and Graeme Murphy's Romeo and Juliet (as McCultie and Ponte, 2011), Ninet de Valois's The Dying (as First Red Warrior, 2011), Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Concerto (2011), and Graeme Murphy's Firebird (2009).
He was nominated for the Australian Green House Awards for Don Quixote and Fairy in 2013, the Maurice Sullivan Bursary in 2013, the Best Popularity Award for Best Ballet Dancer in Australia in 2011 and the Dancers Tour in 2008.
Kevin Jackson
Born in Perth, Kevin Jackson entered the Shirley Farrell Dance Academy at the age of seven to study dance. He graduated from the Australian Ballet School in 2002, joined the Australian Ballet in 2003 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2010. During his time at the Australian Ballet, he starred in many classical and contemporary ballet productions. These works were written by famous choreographers such as John Neumeer, Alexei Ratmansky, Wayne McGregor, Iger Killian, Graeme Murphy and others. Kevin has the skill and artistry required by different dance genres, but theatrical ballet remains his favorite dance genre. Expenses during his tenure as principal dancer were generously funded by the Linnet Harvey Foundation.
He has starred in John Neumeer's Niginsky (as Vaslaf Nijinsky, 2016), David McAllister's Sleeping Beauty (as Prince Desire, 2015), Maina Gilgood's Gissel (as Albrecht, 2015), Sir Frederick Ashton's Dream (as Oberon, 2015), John Cranco's Onegin (as Onegin and Liansky, 2012), Sir Kenneth Macmillan's Manon (as De Grieher, 2008/2014), Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake (as Prince Siegfried, 2009/2013/2014), Graeme Murphy's Romeo and Juliet (2011), Jerome Robbins' Dance Suite (2008), George Balanchine's Apollo (2007).
Winner of the Best Ballet Dancer Award in Australia (2008) and the Haitian Foundation Grant (2007). He was credited for arranging the work "Body Twist - Muse" (2011) and the choreographer "Body Twist 2.2" in 2009. Played the Prince with the Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker (2016). Collaboration with the American Ballet Theatre (exchange artist) on Kenneth Macmillan's Mannon as De Grieu (2014). Collaboration with Jack Productions on Lucas Jervis's Human/Abstract (2010).
Lana Jones
Lana Jones was born in Coffs Harbour and later moved to Canberra to study ballet at the Canberra Youth Ballet School. In 1999, Lana moved to Melbourne and was admitted to the Australian Ballet School, graduating with a best grade in 2002 before joining the Australian Ballet. In 2005, he was promoted to lead dancer and won the Australian Ballet Dancer's highest honor, the Australian Best Ballet Dancer Award. Lana's dance performance was "joyful and passionate" and widely acclaimed, with one writer describing her performance in George Balanchine's Apollo as "incredible." In 2010, Lana was promoted to Principal Dancer.
He has starred in David McAllister's Sleeping Beauty (as Aurora, 2015), Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake (as Odette and Baroness von Rottbart, 2012/2015), Maina Gilgood's Gissel (as Giselle, 2015), Kenneth Macmillan's Mannon (as Manon, 2014), George Balanchine's Imperial Ballet (2014), Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake (as White Swan Odette// Black Swan Odeir, 2013), Rudolf Nuriyev's Don Quixote (as Kittrie, 2013), Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella (Cinderella, 2013), Iger Kilian's Beautyism (2013), Christopher Wilton's After the Rain (2011).
Winner of the Lisa Black Bursary (2010), the Haitian Foundation Bursary (2009) and the Freda May Owen Bursary (2006), the Australian Outstanding Dance Performance Award, the Australian Green House Award for Best Female Dancer and the Helpmann Award for Best Female Dancer (2009) for the role of Firebird, and the Helpmann Award for Best Actress for The Forgotten Land (2006).
In 2015, he participated in the Sapphire Gathering of the Northern Ballet and performed the ballet double of "Cinderella"; in 2013, he participated in the 25th anniversary performance of the Singapore Dance Theatre, performing the "Don Quixote" duo; in 2011, he participated in the New York Autumn Dance Arts Festival; in 2011, he cooperated with the Hong Kong Ballet to perform "Ruby" by George Balanchine; in 2010, he participated in the 40th anniversary performance of the Western Australian Ballet in the 40th anniversary of the performance of "Classical Grand Couple".
Adam Bull
Born in 1981, Adam Bull trained in dance at Dance World 301 under Brian Nolan before joining the Australian Ballet School. In 2000, he represented Australia at the International Ballet Competition in Paris and graduated with honors from the Australian Ballet School in 2001. In 2002, Adam joined the Australian Ballet and has played the lead role in several plays. It took him only six months to become a senior dancer and then to principal dancer in June 2008, where his main roles were widely acclaimed. He has participated in a large number of classical ballets, and is particularly fond of works by George Balanchin, Sir Kenneth Macmillan, Graeme Murphy, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wilton, Wayne McGregor and others. Adam entered the peak of his career by touring and playing major roles in Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles and Japan with the company.
He has starred in Giselle (as Albrecht, 2006/2015), Graeme Murphy in Swan Lake (as Prince Siegfried, 2008/2015), Sir Kenneth Macmillan in Mannon (as De Grie, 2008/2014), Peter Wright in The Nutcracker (as Prince, 2007/2010/2014), And fairies (as James, 2005/2013), Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella (prince, 2013), Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake (prince Siegfried, 2012/2013), John Cranco's Onegin (as Onegin, 2012), performed the bedroom duo in Sir Kenneth Macmillan's Mannon with American Ballet Theatre dancer Julie Kent at the 50th Anniversary Of australia ballet in 2012; in Ronald Heinde's Manegean The Merry Widow as Count Danilo (2011).
In 2015, he participated in the Sapphire Gathering of the Northern Ballet, performing the "Cinderella" duo; collaborated with the Shanghai Ballet on Derek Dean's "Swan Lake" as Prince Siegfried (2014); participated in the first China International Ballet Gathering (2013); participated in the New York Autumn Dance Arts Festival (2011); participated in the 50th anniversary of the Stuttgart Ballet in 2011; and participated in the dancers' tour (2006).
Nominated for the Australian Green House Award for Work of the Year (2009), nominated for the Benoy Dance Award for Best Male Dancer (2009) for Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake, received a Haitian Foundation Bursary (2009), nominated for the Australian Ballet Dancer Award (2004, 2006), and nominated for the Australian Green House Award for playing Albrecht in Gissel by Maina Gilgood (2006).
Robin Hendricks
Born in South Africa, Rabin Hendricks's grandfather could always see her dancing on tiptoe as a child, so she began to learn ballet at the age of eight. Born into a family of intellectuals, Robin was the first member of the family to pursue a passion for art. She trained in dance within the framework of the Cheketty syllabus and then travelled to Melbourne in 2001 to participate in the annual Cheketty International Ballet Competition. During the competition, Robin was favored by the Australian Ballet School and was invited to participate in the formal interview to enter the prestigious national school. During her studies at the Australian Ballet School, Robin was selected for the Canadian Exchange Student Programme (four places in total) for a four-week study at the National Ballet School of Toronto. Rabin joined the Australian Ballet in 2005 and was promoted to soloist in 2011, senior dancer in 2016 and principal dancer in the same year.
He has starred in Stanton Welch's "Maihime" (as Ganzatti, 2014), Wayne McGregor's "Chroma" (2014), Iger Killian's Blissful Death (2005/2014), Serch Lifar's "White Suite" (with "Cigarette" solo, 2014), George Balanchine's "Imperial Ballet" (2014), "Black Swan" duo (2012), "Pakita" actress (2014), Christopher Blanchin's "Imperial Ballet" (2014), "Black Swan" duo (2012), Christopher Blanchin's "Orange" solo dance (2014), George Balanchine's "Imperial Ballet" (2014), "Black Swan" duo (2012), "Pakita" actress (2014), Christopher Blanchin. Wilton's After the Rain (2011), Wayne McGregor's Dichotomy 1929 (2009), and Nasho Duato's Die for You (2009).
He was nominated for the Australian Award for Best Ballet dancer in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015. Participated in the Autumn Dance Arts Festival (2012, 2014) and participated in the dancers' tour (2008, 2014).
Tai Qiong Wo
Born in Waihi, New Zealand, Taijowal began studying dance at the age of seven and trained in early ballet at the Tauranga Dance Education Centre. Tai Qiongwo, a former junior assistant at a New Zealand dance school, left New Zealand at the age of 16 to study full-time at the Australian Ballet School. In 2006, Tai Qiongwo graduated with top grades and was accepted to the Australian Ballet. Since joining the company, Taijounwo has played a number of major roles and played the role of Um Haber's carved Yuks in Kingfisher, which was tailor-made for him. Tai Qiong Wo was promoted to solo dancer in 2010, senior dancer in 2011 and principal dancer in 2013.
He has starred in Gissel (as Albrecht, 2015), Stanton Welch in Maihie (as Samurai, 2014), Rudolf Nureyev in Don Quixote (as Basilio, 2013), Harold Rand's Etudes (as lead actor, 2012), Stephen Baynes in Swan Lake (as Prince Siegfried, 2012), John Kranko in Onegin (as Liansky, 2012), Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly (as Pinkleton, 2011), Peter Wright's The Nutcracker (as Prince, 2010/2014), Peggy Van Prager's Gerberia (as Franz, 2010), Stanton Welch's Sleeping Beauty (as Prince Floremond, 2009).
Winner of the Best Ballet Dancer of Australia Award (2010), the Haitian Foundation Bursary (2013), the Lisa Black Bursary (2011), the Silver Medal at the Asia Pacific International Ballet Competition (2005), and the Young Dancer of the Year by the New Zealand Association of Performing Arts Competitions (PACANZ) (2002).
Collaboration with royal New Zealand ballet on Russell Kerr's Swan Lake as Prince Siegfried (2013). Participated in the tour of the dancer troupe, performing "The Fairy" and "Aurora's Wedding" (2008).
Amy Harris
Born in Ararat, Victoria, Australia, Amy entered a local ballet school at the age of three to learn jazz and tap dance. She entered the Carol Oliver Ballet School in Ballet in Ballarat at the age of ten to train in the Cheketi Method, where she received bronze and silver awards as a Cheketty Scholar. In 1999, at the age of 15, Amy successfully passed the interview and entered the Australian Ballet School. She joined the Australian Ballet in 2002 and was promoted to lead dancer in 2007, soloist in 2011 and senior dancer in 2012.
He has starred in Christopher Wilton's Alice in Wonderland (queen of hearts, 2017), Wayne McGregor's Infrared (2017), David McAllister's Sleeping Beauty (as Aurora and the Lilac Fairy, 2017), Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella (as Stepmother, 2016), Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake (as Baroness von Rotbart, 2016), William Forsyth's How Much In Mid-Air (2016), Peggy van Prag's "Gabrielle" (as Svanilda, 2016), Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella (as stepmother, 2013), Rudolf Nuriyev's Don Quixote (as Street Dancer, Forest Queen Deryad and The Main Bridesmaid, 2013), George Balanchin's Four Temperaments (Playing the Theme of Part I and Part V Bile, 2013), Glenn Tethley's Gemini (2012) , The Wandering Widow (Hannah, 2011), John Neumeer's Niginsky (lomola, 2016), Tewela Sap's The Upstairs Room (2015), The Merry Widow (Hannah, 2011).
Won the Australian Best Ballet Dancer Award (2012) and the Australian Best Popularity Award (2008, 2010). Participated in the tour of the dancer troupe, playing the heroine in "Pacita" and playing Odile in "Swan Lake" (2013).
Valerie Trechenko
Valerie Trechenko was born in Kiev, Ukraine. At the age of six, she emigrated to Australia with her family and began studying ballet a year later. Valerie's flair for dance movement has been nurtured in several dance schools in Melbourne, including the West Point Ballet Academy, the Victoria Ballet Theatre and the Australian International Coaching School. Subsequently, Valerie entered the Australian Ballet School. In 2008, she participated in the school's exchange student program and went to North America to study, and in the same year she embarked on a second round of touring with the dancers. Valerie joined the Australian Ballet in 2009 and was promoted to lead dancer in 2015, soloist in 2017 and senior dancer in 2018.
He has starred in David McAllister's Sleeping Beauty (as Lilac Fairy, 2015/2017), Wayne McGregor's Infrared (2017), Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake (as Lead Swan, 2016), Victor Gvosky's Classical Grand Couple (2016), William Forsyth's "SomeWhat Suspended in Midair" (2016), Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake (as Russian Dancer, 2012/2016), Maina Gilguard's Giselle (as Ghost Queen Mirta, 2015), Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake (as Swan Guard, 2015), Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella (as stepmother, 2014/2016).
Nominated for the Best Ballet Dancer in Australia (2017) and the Best Ballet Dancer in Australia (2013). Participated in the tour of the dancer troupe, performing the third act of "Pakita" and "Swan Lake" (2015).
Australian Ballet
The Australian Ballet is one of the world's top ballet companies and has performed countless performances for a wide audience for more than 50 years. Since its inception, both on stage and offstage, the company has always been committed to the pursuit of artistic excellence, keeping the style flexible and diverse, and daring to take risks. The company regularly represents Australia on the world stage, covering 87 cities around the world, including New York, Shanghai, Tokyo, London and Paris, and its performances have been highly praised by the media. Rooted in tradition but daring to be a pioneer, the Australian Ballet Company produces a widely loved classical ballet masterpiece and a commissioned new work every year. More than 250 performances are performed each year, and more than 1,700 are performed in education and audience interaction.
The Australian Ballet was founded to inspire audiences, bring joy and encourage them to keep moving forward through the charm of their performances. The company currently has 80 outstanding dancers, in addition to the master craftsmen, as well as leaders in injury prevention, dance education, marketing and philanthropy, and an orchestra of 62 musicians (Victoria Orchestra). Driven by artistry and sportiness, the Australian Ballet has developed a unique Australian style, moving freely between classical ballet classics and contemporary commissioned new works.