‘I want to be someone who really touches and inspires the audiences I dance for’
– Adam Elmes
Name?
Adam Elmes
Age?
20
Where did you grow up?
On the Northern Beaches of Sydney
What age did you start dancing?
I started dancing when I was 8 with my mum as my teacher.
What’s your first memory of dance?
I would say my first memory of dance would just be dancing around the house with music on when I was young. I remember my mum used to put on old musical theatre tunes and we would boogie around the living room together.
Favourite ballet/contemporary work?
My favourite piece I’ve ever seen was Grand Finale by Hofesh Schechter Company.
Favourite dance film/book/podcast?
I really love Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin’s history and how he came to be the director of QB is really interesting to me.
Adam Elmes, courtesy of The Australian Ballet
Favourite moment on stage?
I was given the awesome opportunity to dance with the company in a corps role last year while I was in Level 8 at ABS in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I was a card in the third act and it was by far the most thrilling and nerve wracking thing for me but I loved every moment.
What repertoire/role do you aspire to perform?
Some balletic roles I would love to perform some day are James from La Sylphide, Blue bird from Sleeping Beauty or the Jack in the Box from Nutcracker.
Who is your dance idol or mentor?
I like to be inspired by the people around me as opposed to some celebrity dancers so people like Benedicte Bemet and Marcus Morelli are examples of people who I get to see dance often that inspire me to grow as a dancer.
Do you prefer the classical or contemporary repertoire?
I definitely found such a great passion for classical repertoire during my time at the school and my introduction to the company but I have to say contemporary rep is usually my favourite to perform.
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
I’ve been reading and learning about various things, watching tv shows and hanging with my roommates/family as much as I can.
What are you most looking forward to about being back in the studio?
The space! You forget how it feels to be able to run and jump and slide when you’re cooped up in lockdown. I’m excited to remember what that love for really moving feels like.
What do you think makes TAB such an incredible company to be a part of?
Something I really love about TAB is the culture of encouraging and supporting each other as we progress together. It feels like quite an Australian way to achieve things, together in spite of differences. I love the laughter and fun we have while staging shows too, it really is my dream job.
What is your biggest aspiration for your career?
I want to be someone who really touches and inspires the audiences I dance for and makes people feel things; changes their way of thinking. I know that’s a little cliché but if I can make someone in the audience laugh or help them realise things about the world in how I move then I don’t want anything else.