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Donors 2016

We give our special thanks to

Diamond membership $1000 - $2500Leonie AndersonLyne SedgmanMichael Barrington Kerrie Whitla Rob Wyllie Naida Atkins Jo Atkins Alan Atkins Richard Hoy

Platinum membership $500 - $999Antonia Leonardi Anonymous Anonymous

Gold membership $200 - $499Andrew ColesAnonymous

Silver Membership $100 - $199Colleen Bryce AnonymousAnonymous

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Intention and Desire is a journey through Picasso’s masterpiece “Guernica”. While The Veil of Maya is focussed on the idea of reality described by Picasso in

Guernica (realistic space and characters in a disturbing atmosphere of chaos) while the Empyrean attempts to unveil the concept of the ‘light globe’, hope rips the veil! In the final program titled Guernica the two concepts come together:

in an attempt to unveil the complete meaning of the painting through the narrative of the 1937 bombing of Guernica, with added inspiration

from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

INTENTION transforms your quantum information and energy into what you put your ATTENTION on by organizing it using infinite correlations

until you are able to manifest your desires!

2016 will see the Melbourne Ballet Company’s ninth year of operations and in many ways the concept behind Intention and Desire reflects the

Company’s creative process since its inception.

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About Intention and Desire This year’s Intention and Desire program, created by MBC’s Choreographer Simon Hoy, will feature no less than seven new works from some of Australia’s foremost choreographers. Timothy Harbour, Lucas Jervies, Rani Luther, Timothy Podesta, MBC dancer Alexander Baden Bryce, as well as the work of Hoy, come together to present what promises to be a stellar season. This Premier Melbourne Season can be envisaged as a trilogy, embodying quite unique creative expression together with much choreographic diversity. Each individual program is positioned around the central theme, so that each successive program adds a new chapter to the overarching concept – ‘Intention and Desire’ which takes inspiration from Pablo Picasso’s master work – Guernica. While individual programs stand alone, they can also be seen as components of the complete Melbourne season.

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THE VEIL OF MAYA ... illusion over reality The first part of the Intention and Desire trilogy explores the concept of illusion versus reality focussing on the more disturbing aspects of Picasso’s work. The Veil is a confronting illusion which can obscure human perception of reality – what exists and what does not. For many who believe that in love we find completeness – such a delusion is regrettable – blinding us into falling in love. The opening ‘chapter’ of the trilogy ‘Intention and Desire’ presents a reflection of this distorted world clouded by disturbing shadows.

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The Veil of Maya Performance Dates 4 March: Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne 7:30pm 6 March: Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne 2:00pm 11 March: The Alex Theatre, Melbourne 7:30pm 12 March: The Alex Theatre, Melbourne 2:00pm12 March: The Alex Theatre, Melbourne 7:30pm Choreographers: Lucas Jervies, Alexander Baden, Timothy Podesta.

Music: Valgeir Sigurdsson, Helter Smelter, Max Richter, Adam Ster.

Notes from the Choreographers Four BalletBy Lucas JerviesMusic by Adam Ster With each new ballet I have created since graduating from The Australian Ballet School in 1998, I’ve worked to expand my understanding of the art form’s capacity. This exploration has led me to a holistic approach in the studio; a process that encourages a keener awareness of both mind and body, forcing the artist to be an active thinker through performance. This synergy between the emotional and physical, the internal and external, helped us discover psychological objectives through physical states of being. Exploring the subjective and objective simultaneously allows for a very productive methodology: collectively we created four separate spatial situations that encouraged conflicting relationships to occur between the body and, or inanimate objects. These situations produce beautiful, detailed sequences of movement, which are innately tied to a strong emotional objective. Four Ballet is made from and for my love of ballet. Its fast-paced state of apparent emotional catharsis through physical expression is a paradox; it relies utterly on the fundamentals and discipline of the classical ballet technique, and yet is derived from the ineffable nuance of emotion.

Variations of EaseBy Timothy PodestaMusic by Valgeir Sigurdsson When approached to create this new work for MBC'S opening season I had just heard how the company was being positioned in 2016 and beyond and wanted to design a work that showed the breath of fresh air that MBC is for Melbourne audiences.

I have had the pleasure of working with the MBC dancers before: they all have wonderful classical techniques that are matched by a grounded, earthy modern base and an openness to expand and participate in my innovative intentions as a choreographer.

The work is titled 'Variations of ease' and is designed about creating a big ballet feel and intensity but with a more tactile, palpable openness that the audience can feel and experience. I am excited to be working with MBC again! Artifice By Alexander Baden BryceMusic by Max Richter, Ludovico Einaudi The process for the creation of this new work - ‘ARTIFICE’ - for Melbourne Ballet Company’s Season of ‘The Veil of Maya’ takes on board several unique characteristics. As a project-based company with limited resources, a strong process of collaboration between dancer and choreographer has been implemented. I believe this allows the dancers to have a strong voice in the movement language created for the work, allowing their bodies to reach their greatest end potential. A series of tasks has been created to be completed by the dancers, creating new and original movement phrases ranging from simple directives to more obscure parameters. The creative development period included strong use of contact and structured improvisation. Improvisational techniques are more often used in a contemporary dance work and I have employed these techniques to fuse more accessibility into the work for a modern day audience. Music is at the heart of every ballet and using a combined score from artists such as Max Richter and Ludovico Einaudi, soaring violins and beautiful melodies drive the pace of the work. I have been very interested in finding new ways to push classical ballet back into the heart of the community and have searched for as many ways as possible to push and extend typical ballet lines to their end limits. The audience will recognize ballet vocabulary within the work, but they will also be able to see the flair and grace of a more hybrid contemporary ballet piece. Since becoming a member of the Melbourne Ballet Company in 2011 I have had the opportunity to perform many original Ballets by Simon Hoy, whilst also working under the direction of Daniel Jaber at Leigh Warren and Dancers. Both Hoy and Jaber have profoundly influenced my current choreographic style. Working with such classically inspired choreographers I have been able to develop an athletic yet joyous outlook on what contemporary ballet can become whilst still remaining true to the art of ballet. The work has the same dance literacy, technique and finesse that the Melbourne Ballet Company have become so well known for.

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EMPYREAN ... an intellectual light full of love In the second ‘chapter’ of this trilogy we explore the concept of Empyrean: outer sky, closest to purity and unconditional love. In stark contrast to the first part of the trilogy, our second program focuses on all the positive elements of Picasso’s masterpiece: it represents a world reigned over by harmony and light, and surrounds us with a feeling of bliss in contrast to the prior anguish of illusion.

Empyrean

Performance Dates 17 June: The Alex Theatre, Melbourne 7:30pm 18 June: The Alex Theatre, Melbourne 7:30pm

Choreographers: Timothy Harbour, Rani Luther, Simon Hoy.Music: Vladimir Martynov, Ludovico Einaudi, Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter.

Notes from the ChoreographersZealotsTimothy HarbourMusic by John Adams

In this dance I have kept the dancers from touching but not apart. So, there is no partnering, no manipulation of each other’s bodies. There is the opportunity to see each dancers contribution to the whole in a distinct way.

The title comes from observing the dancers during our rehearsals. Dancing together, they forget everything except each other, the design of the steps and a shared organization of time. Zealotry - fanatical commitment and belief - this describes them and their relationship to the movement.

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Illuminate By Rani LutherMusic by Philip Glass

Having worked with the Melbourne Ballet Company since 2008 both as a principal dancer and also rehearsal director, i am now thrilled to be creating a new work for the “Empyrean” season. This unique and important company performs outstanding works all over Australia and abroad. With choreographers and dancers of world class standard, combining fierce classical technique with bold innovative contemporary style, this company showcase a beautiful repertoire of dance that reaches a broad range of audiences. The artistic leader and resident choreographer, Simon Hoy, has nurtured and facilitated the growth of this incredible company and it gives me great pleasure to be asked to choreograph for the Melbourne Ballet Company.

After an eighteen year career dancing in companies such as the Netherlands Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet Company, Sydney Dance Company and The Melbourne Ballet Company, I draw from all my experiences in seeing, dancing and creating classical and contemporary dance in order to develop a language of my own. My style of movement relies strongly on the aesthetic beauty of classical ballet technique while trying to push the limits through contemporary movement and line so that flow and freedom can exist. Inspiration comes from the wide range of styles and choreography I have performed and been exposed to throughout my life.

When creating my ballet “Illuminate”, much time was spent brainstorming over the ideas and concepts of the word Empyrean, which suggested harmony, light, source of unconditional love and the highest realm before heaven.

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When searching for music I could not go past the unearthly and mesmerising beauty of Philip Glass. For me music is the most important foundation of any ballet, as all movement stems from this. It must stir and evolve emotion that words cannot express. In Philip Glass’s Etude No.16 and Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: II, I could see the steps coming to life in my mind. Illusions of bodies forming an extra dimension to the music pulled at my hear stings and I knew this music was the perfect choice.

“Illuminate” explores the idea that heaven is there to be found within all of us on both a minute level or in the unmeasurable infinite power of the whole universe. There is darkness from which a burning element of fire can exist. This mimics the human state where noise, unhappiness, distraction and disease all consume our mind and body but can possibly subside when true purity of being is present. There is always yearning to reach the source of light and creation, the pure light within us all.

The two movements of “Illuminate” take us on a journey through ones life, where frustration and clutter give way to peace and harmony when the soul is illuminated by the light. The movements i have created range from angular and quick footed to airy, soft and flowing. The pas de deux sections throughout the ballet depict both the struggle of human relationships through striking and aggressive steps, to the romantic style representing love and blissful joy with sweeping jumps, turns and grand port de bras.

Like the morning sky illuminated by the glowing sun, or a shining star illuminating the night sky; light always defeats darkness and love conquers all! Lucidity By Simon HoyMusic by Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter Graduating from the Australian Ballet School in 1998 I travelled to Europe and was employed by a number of very highly regarded ballet companies in Europe and America for over nine years. During this time I enjoyed both accelerated progress as a dancer and had the good fortune to work closely with a number of the most influential choreographers and directors of our time. It was during this intensive period I first developed a passion for creating new work. On my return in 2007 Alisa Finney asked me to assist her in opening the Melbourne Ballet Company (MBC) as their Resident Choreographer and we launched the Company in June that year. I am currently a Director and Resident Choreographer. One of the key reasons for starting MBC was to generate more opportunities for dancers in Australia, as well as to offer audiences a new and different experience of ballet – and indeed this is still our mission. So from the very beginning MBC took care to employ qualified professional dancers with strong credentials and also worked very hard to develop a unique style of ballet. Importantly - since its 2007 launch, MBC has always presented original work, some of which might then have

been thought of as a ‘hard sell’ for regional audiences in Australia. Yet despite this, after eight years of hard work we have built strong audiences throughout Australia - and beyond.

Our seasons have grown so that by 2009 our Company included dancers from the Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Paris Opera, Nederland Dans Theatre, Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Hamburg Ballet – virtually all of whom were drawn to us by the quality of our work. Due in no small part to these many wonderful artists, since 2007 MBC has developed a repertoire of contemporary ballet that is both unique and well received by audiences and critics throughout Australia. Our repertoire is also crafted so that we manage – necessarily - to keep within the available budget! So now MBC is a Company of nine acclaimed dancers.

The Intention and Desire trilogy results from a continuous process of research and development within the Melbourne Ballet Company – in this way the Company has taken inspiration from Picasso’s masterpiece “Guernica”. This famous mural belongs to the art movement of “Surrealism” (1937) in which Picasso reaches a virtual climax after several previous quite different earlier art tendencies of his life such us the “Blue Period”, “Rose Period” and “Cubism”. Thus the masterwork Guernica totally captured Melbourne Ballet Company’s imagination, especially as “Guernica” can be seen as the response to very many diverse art influences.

Some technical detail: in this program MBC will be working with several internationally established choreographers from diverse artistic backgrounds: Our challenge here is to redefine the Company’s already successful identity and artistic growth through presentation of a unique new season where diverse aspects of contemporary dance are juxtaposed then merged as if they were pieces of a puzzle belonging to a single image!

A further reason why MBC is fascinated by Picasso’s Guernica is the presence of a message of light in between the dramatics tones of grey: the woman holding the lamp symbolises hope amid the suffering and destruction after the catastrophic bombing of the town of Guernica.

This is also one further aspect of Picasso’s work with which MBC likes to associate itself: Since its launch in 2007 the Company’s principal aim has always been to give audiences a joyful experience through the realisation of programs like “In Paradisum”, “Infinite Space” and currently “Lucidity”.

Lucidity – meaning to be clear in yourself; decide where to go, and then go there! When you live by clear intentions, there are few limits to the rewards that life can bring ...This work, is a journey through four movements;1. limpidity - transmitting light without distortion;2. pellucidity - being understandable and free from obscurity - clear

and comprehensible;3. clarity - showing a clearness like the clarity of water flowing in a

mountain stream like a lovely singing voice - clear and pure.4. lucidity - “The virtue of rationality - the recognition and

acceptance of reason as one's only source of knowledge, one's only judge of values and one's only guide to action...” Ayn Rand.

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GUERNICA ... a story of humanity The third and final ‘chapter’ is Guernica which completes the trilogy using an original story inspired by Picasso’s masterpiece and also drawing on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In this finale to our series, the Veil of Maya and Empyrean join together to form a unique story, where hatred, regret, and ignorance are seen to lose the battle against a level of love that transcends human powers: a love that, despite the Veil, can reach the Empyrean!

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Guerica

Performance Dates21 July: Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne 7:30pm 24 July: Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne 7:30pm Choreographers: Simon HoyMusic: Ludovico Einaudi, Steve Anderson, Jóhann Jóhannsson

Notes from the Choreographers Guernica By Simon HoyMusic: Ludovico Einaudi, Steve Anderson, Jóhann Jóhannsson

Guernica is the third and final chapter of the trilogy Intention and Desire after The Veil of Maya and Empyrean. The title of the program comes from the idea that the Company can express a unique and unified concept to be seen in several aspects drawn from differing interpretations of Picasso’s masterpiece, starting in The Veil of Maya and only finding resolution in the last program. Those three programs are therefore inter-connected The first two chapters represent abstract aspects such as Schopenhauer’s theme of illusion in Veil of Maya, and an atmosphere of harmony and light in Empyrean. Guernica finally sees the two previous viewpoints coming together in an original and compelling narrative whose final resolution is a message of joy and hope.

The narrative is set in the Spanish town of Guernica, which was bombed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. It was carried out at the behest of the Spanish nationalist government by its allies, the German Air Force’s Condor Legion and the Italian Legionary Aviation, under the code name Operation Rügen.

In this atmosphere of destruction and sense of fear, when the darkness takes over, two young characters find the light in their hearts: a wonderful love story, inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, which becomes the fulcrum of this narration. With the illusion of being able to deal with the dark reality that surround them, the two lovers believe that the feeling of bliss found in their love can win out against this evident human cruelty. In the meantime, outside the narrative, Picasso’s Guernica takes increasingly shape until we reach the completion of the work, which marks the end of this compelling love story.

TICKET PRICES Veil of Maya Empyrean Guernica

Full: $40 Concession: $34 16 and under: $29

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Touring Programs 2016

ARCHè… the principle from which all things arise (based on Swan Lake)

Touring throughout Australia and New Zealand Concept: Simon Hoy Choreographers: Simon Hoy, Timothy Podesta Archè is an innovative production that takes its inspiration primarily from the age-old classic, Swan Lake.Archè explores and embraces much of the original narrative and some of the classical repertoire. Director Simon Hoy has structured this work to reflect his unique choreographic style and has linked this with a powerful musical score comprising music excerpts drawn from Tchaikovsky, Einaudi, Arnalds, Morricone, Jean-renaud and Elgar. The end result is an emotionally charged production which has already received extremely positive critical acclaim and is suitable for audience everywhere.

DIVENIRE… to become

Touring throughout AustraliaChoreographer: Simon HoyMusic: Ludovico Einaudi, Ólafur Arnalds Divenire is a striking presentation of precision and impressive athleticism featuring four works created by Director Simon Hoy together with dance-maker Tim Podesta - also with international credentials. This work has already toured successfully within Australia. While the beauty of classical ballet and related works is driven by a narrative or message, this program sets out to push the boundaries of the genre further, while at the same time revealing some of the great strength and versatility that Melbourne Ballet Company has become known for – set to the music of Ludovico Einaudi.

REVIEWS “Paired with romantic and emotive musical choices, Hoy's choreography is highly decorative, drawing on classical vocabulary and peppered with whimsical gestures as well as leggy partnering work and lifts.” SYDNEY MORNING HERALD “...Essential and compelling viewing.” THE HERALD SUN “Hoy’s choreography allows his talented cast scope for the expressive upper body arcs, gorgeous extensions, and soaring lifts that make watching (and performing) ballet a joyful experience”THE AGE

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"A joyful experience!" THE AGE ”I came out of this performance feeling uplifted" DANCE AUSTRALIA "a program of thoroughly enjoyable contemporary ballet." DANCE AUSTRALIA "The Melbourne Ballet Company can boast not only a cast of proficient performers, but a resident choreographer in Simon Hoy whose movement signature is lyrical, generous, and optimistic - somewhat reflective of the buoyant spirit of this young contemporary ballet company."THE AGE "Equisite is the only word to describe Melbourne Ballet Company's latest production Archè!"THE MELBOURNE OBSERVER “Ballet fanatics or not, this piece would suit all audiences. A stunning performance by all.”DANCETRAIN “Effortless lifts and transitions from classical to contemporary choreography were expertly executed by this troupe of adept dancers, and the stage presence and pure happiness shown in the performance was truly joyful.”THE AGE

MELBOURNE BALLET LAB SHARING SERIES

Throughout 2016 the Melbourne Ballet Company plans to conduct a series of conversations with you the audience members. Melbourne Ballet Company wishes to know more about what you love to see so during 2016 we plan to give you the opportunity to meet with members of our creative team to engage in conversations and share your thoughts on where you think dance in Australia is going in general and how Melbourne Ballet in particular can best direct our energies to present for you more of what you want.

This Lab Sharing Series will be held at our wonderful headquarters now at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, where you will meet with choreographers, directors, musicians and our wonderfully talented dancers. So don't miss this unique opportunity where you as audience members can become more involved in 'curating' what you would like to see.

WORKSHOPS

As part of the 2016 touring schedule, MBC will be giving over 50 Masterclasses throughout Australia. Our workshops and Masterclasses have also been designed to be accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience. The Company also collaborates with venues and local schools across Australia to assess the level of demand and caters to each community accordingly. For example, many locations have established dance schools with senior students and teachers who can benefit greatly from our masterclasses in contemporary and classical techniques, and also from our choreographic workshops which provide an opportunity to experience new and innovative dance techniques. Students are given the opportunity to be taught by some of Australia's foremost artists and teachers, and to learn current repertoire, gaining further performance appreciation - this strategy has proved also to increase audience numbers.

MBC also has an extensive junior program which has achieved much success across Australia. Our Fairy Ballet classes are especially popular with very young children: children may come dressed as a fairy, a princess, a

prince or ballerina and be taught by a MBC dancer in a dance class incorporating basic classical ballet positions, locomotion work, mime and improvisation.

MBC In Association with the Hawthorn Arts Centre

MBC is also very proud to be based at the recently redeveloped Hawthorn Arts Centre. The Hawthorn Arts Centre is a heritage-listed building that embodies both elegance and grandeur, with an intriguing mix of contemporary and traditional design - which is a good fit for MBC as the Company is both steeped in

tradition but also mixed with a strong sense of innovation. Since 2014, MBC and the Hawthorn Arts Centre have worked in partnership to produce three programs - Divenire, Lucidity and Archè. MBC is keen to further develop this relationship in 2016 - and indeed to further establish the Hawthorn Arts Centre as our ‘home’ theatre in Melbourne.

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DIRECTORS

Simon Hoy - Director and Resident Choreographer

Simon has been Resident Choreographer of MBC since his return from New York in 2007 and from 2011 Artistic Director of the Company on tour. Accepted at age 16 into the Australian Ballet School by then Director Gaylene Stock AM, Simon graduated in 1997 with the Advanced Diploma in Dance. A professional dancer since 1998, he first worked in Europe as soloist undertaking principal roles with Ballet Graz in Austria, Ballet Mainz in Germany, Schaufuss Ballet in Denmark and Carolina Ballet (USA), before joining Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York. Simon has toured and guested throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and benefited from working with many outstanding teachers and choreographers, including Wilhelm Burmann, Adam Luders, Johnny Eliason, Hans Van Manen, Nils Christe, Peter Schaufuss, Darrell Tolone, Peter Brauer, Martin Schlapfer, Donald Mahler, and Robert Weiss. He also performed works by George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, and John Cranko.

Simon also played a leading role in the renaissance of the Melbourne Ballet Company as its Tour Director and Resident Choreographer, and has so far created 17 new works for the Company including: Above Water, Tuscany, In Paradisum, In One Day, Submerged, Drenched, Stuck In Perpetual Motion, ... and more recently Placement, Infinite Space, Motion Transcend, On Air, Dark Before Daylight, Phrased Without Words, Horizon Variation, Divenire, Lucidity, Agape, Archè. He also choreographed Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas for the Victorian College of the Arts, under the musical direction of Richard Gill. In recent years he has worked internationally with Quorum Ballet in Lisbon, and directed the Rosenberg Ball in St Gallen, Switzerland. As MBC’s Tour Director since 2011 he has also travelled extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand with the Company.

Alisa Finney - Director

Launched the Melbourne Ballet Company in 2007 with a vision to create a world-class ballet company to support and showcase the extensive talent of the Australian classical dance industry, and also to offer a vehicle for emerging and established artists to thrive and develop collectively. As Director of this emerging performing organisation, Alisa drew on her experience in marketing and business management, as well as considerable expertise in ballet training and dance administration – in order to create an exciting and vibrant new artistic platform. A graduate of the Australian Ballet Schools Teachers Training Program and Principal of the Gay Wightman School of Ballet, Alisa sits on several dance boards earning great respect within the industry for her ability to maintain the momentum of a professional company both high in artistic integrity and demonstrably able to produce new work that continues to be exciting and relevant to audiences. With the Company now in its

ninth year of operation, and after many successful performance seasons nationally and internationally, Alisa looks forward to the Melbourne Ballet Company’s continued success in 2016.DANCERS OF MBCKristy Lee Denovan - Kristy was born in Melbourne where she started ballet at the age of 6 at Vivienne’s Academy of Ballet, and from then on knew that ballet would be her life. She was accepted into The Australian Ballet School in 2006, and received many scholarships during her three years there. In her graduation year 2008 Kristy was chosen to represent the School and Australia at the prestigious Prix De Lausanne in Switzerland, where she was awarded a prize. In 2009 she joined The Australian Ballet performing in many ballets including Les Sylphides, Stanton Welch’s Sleeping Beauty and Divergence, Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker, Petrouchka, and Romeo and Juliet, Alexei Ratmansky’s La Schoula, Suite En Blanc, The Silver Rose, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Graeme Murphy’s Romeo and Juliet, Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly, Checkmate, Beyond Bach, and The Merry Widow as well as many Galas around the world from Rome to Colombia. Kristy has been with Melbourne Ballet Company since 2013 and has already performed many of the Company’s signature pieces as a Principal Artist.

Alexander Baden Bryce - Alexander trained at the Anne Fraser School of Dance on the Sunshine Coast Queensland for nine years, before being accepted into the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Studying classical ballet from a young age, Alexander completed the RAD Advanced 2 syllabus graduating Dux with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance). In 2009 he was awarded a scholarship to Taipei International Dance Elite Academy in Taiwan. Alexander has worked with many internationally renowned choreographers including Harold Collins MBE, Paul White, Lisa Griffiths, Daniel Jaber, Shaaron Boughen, Csaba Buday and Paul Zivkovich, as well as Simon Hoy. Alex has been a proud member of the Melbourne Ballet Company since 2009.

Francesca Giangrasso - Francesca began dance aged 6 at Arteballetto Academie in Catania, Italy under Patrizia Perrone. While at Arteballedo she took part in many workshops by prominent choreographers, including those from the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet. At age 17 she was accepted at Ballet of Toscany, one of Italy’s most prestigious schools. Returning to Sicily in 2008 Francesca was offered a contract with Massimo Bellini Theatre where she stayed for four years. In 2012 Francesca guested with the V. Emmanuel Theatre of Messina: later that year was appointed assistant choreographer to MBC’s Simon Hoy at the Institute auf dem Rosenberg, Switzerland. After her work in Switzerland, Francesca took up a scholarship at the Donlon Dance Company, Saarbrucken (Germany). In February 2013 she was accepted into the Melbourne Ballet Company and during the last three years Francesca has toured throughout Australia and performed several roles in the Company’s repertoire, including In One Day, Infinite Space, Divenire, Le Sacre du Printemps, Lucidity and Archè.

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Johanna Lee - Johanna attended the Australian Ballet School from 2004 to 2006 graduating with an Advanced Diploma of Dance and is currently a full-time dancer with Melbourne Ballet Company. Since 2012 Johanna has performed in many programs and works by Simon Hoy including Le Sacre du Printemps, Infinite Space, On Air, Lucidity, Archè, Motion Transcend, Divenire, Dark Before Daylight and also In One Day by Hoy and Robert Kelly. Johanna has toured extensively with the Company performing in many theatres throughout Australia. Johanna was a member of Sydney Dance Company (SDC) between 2007 and 2009, performing many roles including Connor Dowling’s duo Dreamt I was a Real Boy as part of the Sydney New Breed Spring Dance Festival at the Sydney Opera House, Rafael Bonachela’s We Unfold at the Helpmann Awards and Bonachela’s 360 as part of the Sydney Festival First Night (which also featured on the hit TV series So You Think You Can Dance) and Aszure Barton’s Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade. While at SDC Johanna toured extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand and has also danced in Opera Australia’s Melbourne Autumn season of Eugene Onegin and Aida, choreographed by Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon. Masha Peker - Born in Ukraine, Masha commenced her ballet training at the school of Shostakovich, after which time she relocated to the United States for three years before settling in Melbourne Australia. Whilst in Australia Masha studied full time at the Beverley Rowles School of Dance followed by the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, under the Direction of Christine Walsh. Masha’s experience includes a number of performing opportunities with the Melbourne Ballet Company on their Australia New Zealand tour, Tachkin’s St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Melbourne season of Swan Lake, Opera Australia, ACB’s Australian Conservatoire of Ballet Swan Lake, Paquita, Ritualism, Sleeping Beauty, and current performances with Melbourne Dance Theatre Giselle and Swan Lake.

Charles Riddiford - Charles started ballet at the age of twelve at the Regional Academy of Performing Arts in Wodonga, Victoria. In 2011 he was accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance. During his time at the school he performed works by Paul Taylor and William Forsythe, as well as receiving a travel scholarship to Canada and the USA. In 2013 he joined Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a trainee. At the start of 2014 he left Canada to join Queensland Ballet as a Young Artist and was promoted to Company Dancer in 2015. Charles joined Melbourne Ballet Company in March of this year.

Chloe Henderson – Chloe joined the Melbourne Ballet Company in 2016. Born in South Africa, she trained first in South Africa before joining the Robin Kirkland School of Ballet in Sydney. Chloe then became a Junior Associate with the Australian Ballet School in 2001, which lead to her working with the Dancer’s Company tour of 2003 – performing in “The Nutcracker” and “Gift of a Dream”. She has also trained with Terry Simpson Studios in Adelaide, danced with the Salzburg Ballet, and subsequently completed her Advanced Diploma at WAAPA under the direction of Kim McCarthy. During her time with WAAPA Chloe also danced with the West Australian Ballet in their seasons of Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. After her graduation, Chloe continued with WAB, then worked with Lucette Alduers (Don Quixote), Marcia Haydee (Sleeping Beauty). Also Jiri Kilian- in Un

Barlo and Uwe Scholz - Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Chloe has also freelanced with Ajkun Ballet Theatre (NYC) and choreographers such as Adian Munn and Daniel Jaber.

Samuel Harnett- was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and first began his classical training as a student of Christine Underdown, having first been introduced to Ballet while he was still undergoing training as a nationally ranked gymnast.

He then embarked upon an extensive period of training in dance, including valuable time with the Australian Ballet School and subsequently with the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Samuel has also had the good fortune to work with some highly talented choreographers, including Pompea Santoro, Kerry Nicholls, Jackie Barrett and Leila McMillan.

His professional career began when Samuel joined Daniel Jaber and Dancers, and he has since featured in many works by Jaber during this part of his career. He has since had the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s best dancers and regards himself as privileged to have worked with such outstanding dancers as Leigh Warren, Cyril Baldy, Jo Stone, Paul Malek, Natalie Allen, Kialea-Nadine Williams and many others.

GUEST ARTISTS

Adam Thurlow - Born in Melbourne, Adam began his dance training with Lorraine Blackburn where he studied the Cecchetti ballet syllabus. He then furthered his ballet training at The Australian Ballet School, graduating with honours and as the Dux of the school.

He then joined The Australian Ballet where he quickly rose through the ranks and became a Soloist within two years. Adam later was offered a position with the world renowned English National Ballet. He then joined the prestigious Opera National de Paris, becoming the only Australian to do so. Adam then embarked on a freelance career where he travelled around the world guesting with companies and performing in gala performances. He was a regular guest principal artist with the emerging Melbourne Ballet Company.

Throughout his outstanding international career Adam has danced most of the leading male classical repertoire including Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Cinderella and many more. Adam worked and performed with some of the world’s leading dancers and artistic figures. He has performed in ballets from renowned choreographers such as Nureyev, MacMillan, Cranko, Bejart, Balanchine, Kylian, Forsythe, Robbins, Lander, Tetley, Bausch, Duato, Wheeldon to name a few.

Adam enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience as teacher and has taught at many leading dance schools such as the Australian Academy for Classical Art, Cecchetti Society, Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, Ministry of Dance, and City Dance Centre, he has also taught in local dance institutions inclusive of the School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA) and Guest Lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Adam is a patron of Melbourne Academy of Arts.Leonardo Laurent Mancuso - Leonardo studied at La Scala Ballet School, Milan and has worked as a professional dancer

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at Teatro alla Scala, West Australian Ballet, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Theater Magdeburg, Germany, and has guested with Teatro Maggio Musicale fiorentino and the Melbourne Ballet Company.

Michael Braun – Michael has had an outstanding career, literally spanning the world. After completing his early training in Australia and commencing his professional dancing career initially in Australia and New Zealand, he then worked widely throughout the United States and Canada, then in Europe, South Africa and in China. Michael was a principal artist both with the Queensland Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and has also performed principal roles with the West Australian Ballet, the South African Ballet Theatre and the Victorian State Ballet.

Michael has performed several works with the Melbourne Ballet Company including; Le Sacre du Printemps, On Air and Infinite Space, choreographed by Hoy. In the course of his career he has also performed works by Forsythe, Dawson, Thoss, Neumeyer, Vamos, Balanchine, Bejart, Killian, Cranko, Jorma Elo, and Macmillan.

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS 2016Tim Harbour will also produce his second ballet for MBC. Tim has had an illustrious career as a dancer and choreographer - as a dancer with Australian Ballet he performed many soloist and principal roles, worked with Australian and international choreographers to create new work and toured all over the world. Tim is currently the Resident Choreographer for the Australian Ballet. He has produced works for The Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet and The Dancers Company, as well as New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and Christopher Wheeldon’s company

Morphoses. Tim will choreograph a new work for the Empyrean season to premiere at the Drum Theatre in August.

Lucas Jervies will also present his first work for MBC, to premiere next March. Lucas has produced works for many companies around the world (including Sydney Dance Company, Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Expressions Dance Company, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Sydney Chamber Opera, JACK Productions, Griffin Theatre Company, Hèrmes, Buzz Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company Pre Professional Year, Korzo Theatre Den Haag, Noverre Society Stuttgart Ballet, CoDarts Rotterdam University for the Arts and The Australian Ballet School). Lucas will present new work for the Veil of Maya season to premiere at the Hawthorn Arts Centre in March.

Tim Podesta, a graduate of the Australian Ballet School, danced with numerous companies internationally before founding his company: Tim Podesta + PROJECTion Dance in 2006. Tim’s productions have involved a range of leading dancers and companies, including The Queensland Ballet, The Melbourne Ballet Company, The Hong Kong Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, English National Ballet and the The Royal Ballet, for performances, festivals, film and television. Tim will choreograph a new work for MBC’s Empyrean season set to premiere at the Drum Theatre in August 2016.

Rani Luther has had an illustrious career as a dancer in Europe and Australia, working with many companies such as The Kiel Ballet, Germany, Netherlands Dance Theatre II, Netherlands Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet Company, Sydney Dance

Company and from 2008-2010 with The Melbourne Ballet Company.Rani has been fortunate to work with choreographers including Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, Hans Van Manan, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Paul Lightfoot, Yohan Inger, Matts Ek, Graeme Murphy, Stephan Baynes, Stanton Welch, Adrien Burnett, Edward Liang, Raphael Bonachelo and Simon Hoy.

She has performed many classical and contemporary roles both old and new creations, as a group artist, soloist and principal.

During her time with The Melbourne Ballet Company, many works were choreographed specifically for Rani by resident choreographer, Simon Hoy. Rani has worked jointly with Hoy on several productions and has also gone on to create several ballets of her own alongside teaching, coaching, adjudicating and staging works all since retiring from stage.

2016 will see her choreographic debut for MBC in the Empyrean season.

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2016 NATIONAL TOUR MARCH4th - Hawthorn Art Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Veil of Maya6th - Hawthorn Art Centre, Melbourne VIC 2pm Veil of Maya11th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Veil of Maya12th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC 2pm Veil of Maya12th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Veil of Maya19th - Burrinja Arts Centre, Upway VIC 7:30pm Archè 26th - April 17th USA TOUR APRIL 29th - Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin NT 10:30am Archè 29th - Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin NT 8pm Archè MAY17th – 18th Showcase Victoria 26th - Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford NSW - 7:30pm Archè 28th - Dubbo Regional Theatre NSW - 8pm Archè JUNE2nd - The Drum Theatre, Dandenong VIC - 7:30pm Archè 8th - Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre NSW - 7:30pm Archè 9th - Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre NSW - 11am Archè 17th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC - 7:30pm Empyrean18th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC - 2pm Empyrean18th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC - 7.30pm Empyrean

JULYCreative Development – Guernica 8th - The Q, Queanbeyan NSW - 8pm Divenire9th - The Q, Queanbeyan NSW - 2pm Divenire9th - The Q, Queanbeyan NSW - 8pm Divenire16th - Wyndham Cultual Centre, VIC - 8pm Divenire21st - The Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Guernica24th - The Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne VIC 2pm Guernica28th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC - 7:30pm Archè29th - The Alex Theatre, Melbourne VIC - 7:30pm Archè30th - Horsham Town Hall Theatre, VIC - 8pm Archè AUGUST 10th - Empire Theatre, Toowoomba QLD - 7:30pm Archè11th - Byron Bay Community Centre NSW - 7:30pm Archè12th - Byron Bay Community Centre NSW - 7:30pm Archè14th - Jetty Theatre Coffs Harbour, NSW - 2pm Archè14th - Jetty Theatre Coffs Harbour, NSW - 7:30pm Archè19th - ASB Theatre, Marlborough, NZ - 7:30pm Archè20th - ASB Theatre, Marlborough, NZ - 7:30pm Archè21st - ASB Theatre, Marlborough, NZ - 7:30pm Archè

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2014 NATIONAL TOUR

March 28th - Whitehorse Entertainment Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Infinite Space 29th - Whitehorse Entertainment Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Infinite Space

MayCreative Development – Divenire

June 10th - Venue 1, Blackwater QLD 7:30pm Infinite Space11th - Venue 1, Blackwater QLD 7:30pm Infinite Space14th - Matthew Flinders Theatre, Sunshine Coast QLD 7:30 Infinite Space15th - Matthew Flinders Theatre, Sunshine Coast QLD 7:30 Infinite Space20th - Byron Theatre, Byron Bay NSW 7:30pm Infinite Space21st - Byron Theatre, Byron Bay NSW 7:30pm Infinite Space28th - Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour NSW 2pm and 7:30pm Infinite Space

July4th - Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree NSW 7:30pm On Air - Le Sacre du Printemps5th - Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree NSW 2pm and 7:30pm On Air - Le Sacre du Printemps 12th - Bathurst Memorial and Entertainment Centre NSW 7:30pm Infinite Space15th - Laycock Street Community Theatre, Gosford NSW 7:30pm On Air - Le Sacre du Printemps 16th - Laycock Street Community Theatre, Gosford NSW 7:30pm On Air - Le Sacre du Printemps 19th - Griffith Regional Theatre NSW 7:30pm On Air - Le Sacre du Printemps 25th - Riverlink Theatre, Shepparton VIC 7:30pm On Air - Le Sacre du Printemps

August2nd - Burringa Cultural Centre VIC 7:30pm Infinite Space6th - Latrobe PAC, VIC 7:30pm Submerged29th - Hawthorn PAC, Melbourne VIC 7:30 Infinite Space - Le Sacre du Printemps

September 11th - Castlemain Theatre, VIC 7:30pm Motion Transcend

2015 NATIONAL TOUR

JanuaryCreative Development – Divenire

29th - Summersalt Festival Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Divenire30th - Summersalt Festival Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Divenire31st - Summersalt Festival Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Divenire

February1st - Summersalt Festival Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 6pm Divenire March Creative Development – Agape27th - Hawthorn Art Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Lucidity28th - Hawthorn Art Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Lucidity

April11th - Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin NT 7pm Divenire

JuneCreative Development – Archè

July8th - Portland Arts Centre, Portland VIC 7:30pm Divenire17th - Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne VIC 7:30pm Archè19th - Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne VIC 2pm Archè25th - Burrinja Arts Centre, Upway VIC 7:30pm Divenire30th - Byron Community Centre, Byron Bay NSW 7:30pm Divenire31st - Byron Community Centre, Byron Bay NSW 7:30pm Divenire

August1st - Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour NSW 2pm/7:30pm Divenire2nd - Byron Community Centre, Byron Bay NSW 7:30pm Divenire7th - Casula Powerhouse, Casula NSW 2pm/7:30pm Divenire14th - Whitesundys Arts and Cultural Centre, Airlie Beach QLD 7:30pm Divenire15th - Whitesundys Arts and Cultural Centre, Airlie Beach QLD 7:30pm Divenire20th - Auckland Live, Auckland NZ - 7:30pm Infinite Space21st - Auckland Live, Auckland NZ - 7:30pm Infinite Space

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