Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program dancers will light up a studio theatre with their talent in Aspire ’21 from May 20 to 22.

Aspire ’21 will feature classical and neo-classical works, including Christian Tátchev’s Matador Suite, and Paul Boyd’s Intimate Dialogues. It is a showcase of the Pre-Professional Program dancers’ artistic depth and technical prowess. Additionally, it will celebrate the resilience of these young dancers, who overcame the challenges of 2020 to continue their training and the pursuit of their passion for dance.

Commenting on the upcoming season, Queensland Ballet Academy Director Christian Tátchev said, “Our annual performances of Aspire have always served as an opportunity for the Academy to present our graduating cohort in challenging and diverse choreographic works within a professional performance setting. The dancers are challenged with performing both ensemble and soloist works, as well as with discovering and developing the technical and artistic elements fundamental to our artform.”

Speaking of his involvement in choreographing Intimate Dialogues for the show, Queensland Ballet Academy Head of Academy Program (Upper Levels) and Resident Choreographer Paul Boyd said, “Our Pre-Professional Program dancers are on the brink of entering into the profession of dance, so I have tried to create an atmosphere that allows them to feel safe to explore their artistic skills with guidance. I hope the audience appreciates the aesthetics and detail of the choreography in Aspire ’21, and that they are swept away with emotion.”

Aspire ’21 opens on 20 May, showing four performances until 22 May in Queensland Ballet Academy’s home at Kelvin Grove State College. The Queensland Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Program has been developed for dancers who have finished their academic schooling and serves as a finishing year for those who wish to pursue a professional career as a dancer in a company. Audition registrations for 2022’s intake are now open and can be submitted online.

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