Now and Then: 60 Years of The Australian Ballet School

On the 2nd of March 1964, the very first students of The Australian Ballet School walked into the studio to begin class. Established by Dame Margaret Scott, the school was part of Dame Peggy van Praagh’s artistic vision to provide specialised training for aspiring professional dancers and complement the newly formed national company, The Australian Ballet.

Van Praagh saw the need for an independent classical dance school to feed into The Australian Ballet and help develop a national style of classical ballet in Australia.

On the 2nd of March 2024, we celebrate 60 years of The Australian Ballet School and look back at some of the esteemed alumni who started their ballet journey in the studios and have gone on to grace stages at leading companies in Australia and internationally.

1960s

The Australian Ballet School opens its doors to aspiring dancers. Future Artistic Director of The School, Marilyn Rowe and renowned choreographer Graeme Murphy were among the first students.

1970s

As The Australian Ballet School becomes more established future, The Australian Ballet Principal Artist Christine Walsh and current Artistic Director of The School, Lisa Pavane hone their skills.

1980s

Superstars Steven Heathcote, Paul Mercurio, Lisa Bolte and future Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet David McAllister all train at The Australian Ballet School.

1990s

Former The Australian Ballet Principal Artist Kirsty Martin was invited to perform at the Bolshoi Ballet in 2009, it all started in the 1990s at The Australian Ballet School.

2000s

In what reads like a roll call of future Principal Artists, the 2000s saw Amber Scott, Amy Harris, Lana Jones, Adam Bull, Kevin Jackson, Robyn Hendricks, Ty King-Wall, Dimity Azoury, Chengwu Guo, Brett Chynoweth and Ako Kondo all graduate from The Australian Ballet School.

2010s

The stars keep on coming with Benedicte Bemet, Callum Linnane, Marcus Morelli and Jill Ogai all graduating in the 2010s.

2020s

A new generation of ballet dancers enter the company from The Australian Ballet School. Amy Ronnfeldt, Charlie Young, Corey Gavan, Tully Cook, Jeremy Hargreaves, Macy Trethewey, Charlton Tough, Yary Xu and Isabella Smith join the ranks of The Australian Ballet Corps de Ballet in the 2020s.