by FAB Admin | Aug 19, 2020
‘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.
by FAB Admin | Aug 19, 2020
‘I think that being able to travel to places and perform is like a dream and I don’t think it will ever feel like a “real job” just because I love it so much’
– Alain Juelg
Name?
Alain Juelg
Age?
19
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in both Canberra and Melbourne. I was in Canberra for my earlier years and then when I was 11 moved to Melbourne with my family to attend the Australian Ballet school.
What age did you start dancing?
I first started dancing at age 3 at my mother’s ballet school.
What’s your first memory of dance?
My first memory of dance is from one of the end of year concerts my mum put on for her ballet school. I remember my brother not wanting to go and wanting to just play outside instead but for some reason I wanted to be backstage watching with my mum.
Alain Juelg, courtesy of The Australian Ballet
Favourite ballet/contemporary work?
My favourite ballet would have to be La Bayadere or Don Quixote just because they both look like so much fun to dance in and then my favourite contemporary work would have to be Grand Finale performed by Hofesh Shecter Company.
Favourite dance film/book/podcast?
My favourite dance film is easily Centre Stage, it’s just a classic.
Favourite moment on stage?
My favourite moment on stage so far would have to be the 2019 showcase for the Australian Ballet School. That entire night was the best I have ever felt dancing. I was very stressed leading up to the performance as there were certain things in that show that I struggled with a lot, but everything just seemed to work for me on that night and I was so grateful I could just enjoy the feeling of performing for a huge crowd with so many of my friends. I felt like I was on top of the world.
What repertoire/role do you aspire to perform?
There are so many ballets I would be honoured to perform throughout my career that it’s hard to narrow it down. I would love to perform Solor from La Bayadere, Albrecht from Giselle and the knave from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to name a few.
Who is your dance idol or mentor?
I have a few dance idols, Rudolf Nureyev and Baryshnikov of course, Danill Simkin, Carlos Acosta and Daniel Gaudiello are probably the main ones.
Do you prefer the classical or contemporary repertoire?
I love watching contemporary pieces, but I think I prefer to dance in classical ballets. Its very hard to decide between these two for me.
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
I have mainly just been playing guitar in my spare time and trying to get better at certain techniques.
What are you most looking forward to about being back in the studio?
I am most looking forward to feeling like I can breathe when I’m dancing. In classes at home while they have been good for keeping fit I miss just having space and a proper barre.y
What do you think makes TAB such an incredible company to be a part of?
I think TAB is an incredible company because of the people in it. I think the dancers are amazing as are the artistic staff and the longer I am with the company the more I am learning about the roles that other people play in it in terms and admin stuff. I think that being able to travel to places and perform is like a dream and I don’t think it will ever feel like a “real job” just because I love it so much.
What is your biggest aspiration for your career?
My biggest aspiration for my career is to become a principal artist at this company. I want to be the best dancer that I can possibly be, I would also love to dance on stages around the world as well as the ones here in Australia.
by FAB Admin | Aug 19, 2020
‘I aim to learn and grow from all the opportunities and experiences put in front of me in order to achieve my best’
-Belle Urwin
Name?
Belle Urwin
Age?
19 years old
Where did you grow up?
Sydney, NSW
What age did you start dancing?
I started dancing at 4 years old at Robyn Kirkland School of Ballet.
What’s your first memory of dance?
My first memory of dance would be with my siblings in our living room dancing to Grease.
Favourite ballet/contemporary work?
I was lucky enough to be selected as a child extra in TAB’s 2012 production of La Bayadere and I instantly fell in love with the music and style, therefore this has to be one of my favourite ballets.
I also love Balanchine’s Serenade and Who Cares especially as I was able to perform both of these pieces whilst in the school.
Belle Urwin, courtesy of The Australian Ballet
Favourite dance film/book/podcast?
I love watching documentaries on dancers from all over the world. Hearing their stories and journeys to the top is always so captivating. Some of these include, Yuli (Carlos Acosta), Mao’s Last Dancer (Li Cunxin), A Ballerinas Tale (Misty Copeland) and Dancer (Sergei Polunin).
Favourite moment on stage?
My graduation performance of Sleeping Beauty was one of my most proud and fulfilling memories. It was my first Principal role and my grandparents flew over from NZ to watch me dance for the first time.
What repertoire/role do you aspire to perform?
I would love to perform Kitri from Don Quixote as her character is so vivacious and flirtatious which would be a lot of fun.
Who is your dance idol or mentor?
Natasha Kusen (former soloist with TAB) was allocated to be my mentor whilst in my final year at the school. She really helped prepare me for company life which made the transition from school to company much smoother. Although she no longer dancers with TAB she continues to support and offer me guidance which I am very grateful for.
Do you prefer the classical or contemporary repertoire?
I have no preference when it comes to watching classical or contemporary, but in regards to performing I would say classical as it comes more natural to me.
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
I spent majority of the lockdown period in Sydney with my parents and 3 siblings. I grew up playing a lot of cards so there were many Euchre and 500 tournaments that kept me busy. In addition to this I kept busy in the kitchen cooking as well attempt to learn the piano (didn’t go so well).
What are you most looking forward to about being back in the studio?
I miss the atmosphere of being in the studios with my friends and colleagues. I also miss the beautiful space and tarkett floors.
What do you think makes TAB such an incredible company to be a part of?
The Australian Ballet is such a well organised, well established company that perform all over the world. They look after their dancers and I feel like we all belong to one big family.
What is your biggest aspiration for your career?
I hope to one day perform some of my dream roles on stages all across the world. I aim to learn and grow from all the opportunities and experiences put in front of me in order to achieve my best. I look forward to what the future brings!
by FAB Admin | Aug 19, 2020
‘My greatest aspiration for my career is to dance’
– Benjamin Garrett
Name?
Benjamin Garrett
Age?
19
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Muswellbrook; a town in the Upper Hunter, NSW. My family and I then moved to Melbourne in 2015.
What age did you start dancing?
I was always dancing as a child, even on the soccer field. However, I started official dance classes when I was around 8 years old.
What’s your first memory of dance?
The earliest memory that really stands out to me, is me dancing alone in my garage to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, while using a cardboard box as my ‘zombie coffin’.
Benjamin Garrett, courtesy of The Australian Ballet
Favourite ballet/contemporary work?
I would say that one of my many, many favourite works would be The Second Detail by William Forsythe.
Favourite dance film/book/podcast?
I would say my favourite ‘ballet film’ might be Billy Elliot. I think it’s a very iconic film and was pretty inspiring to me as a young boy wanting to do ballet.
Favourite moment on stage?
My favourite moment on stage was performing the Principal male solo in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?. This moment was such an exciting moment, not only because of the exuberant choreography, but it also marked the end of my journey with The Australian Ballet School.
What repertoire/role do you aspire to perform?
I dream of one day performing in a work by Crystal Pite.
Who is your dance idol or mentor?
I really respect choreographer, Alexander Ekman. I find him inspiring because he always approaches dance and his choreography with a sense of humour, play and discovery. I think this is a very important sentiment for me as I believe approaching dance in this way allows for more creative exploration and enjoyment, rather than feeling trapped by your own self criticism.
Do you prefer the classical or contemporary repertoire?
I usually gravitate towards more contemporary repertoire.
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
I have been trying to keep creative where I can by drawing and painting, but other times I will lounge around the house trying to decide what TV series to start next.
What are you most looking forward to about being back in the studio?
I’m really looking forward to being surrounded by people and being able to share our love for dance with audiences again.
What do you think makes TAB such an incredible company to be a part of?
The Australian Ballet is such a welcoming and broad community that I believe allows and encourages its dancers to really explore and find who they want to be as an artist.
What is your biggest aspiration for your career?
My greatest aspiration for my career is to dance and experience as many different ballets, styles and choreographers as I can squeeze into my time on Earth.
by FAB Admin | Aug 19, 2020
‘I want to be a dancer who carries the show and who draws an audience in’
– Karina Arimura
Name?
Karina Arimura
Age?
20
Where did you grow up?
Kagoshima, Japan
What age did you start dancing?
At the age of three
What’s your first memory of dance?
When I started baby ballet class at my mother’s ballet studio in Kagoshima.
Favourite ballet/contemporary work?
My best favourites are from Shakespeare’s story! Romeo and Juliet, Ashton’s The Dream, Winter’s Tale.
Favourite dance film/book/podcast?
I will never forget the shock I got when I watched this for the first time, White Night! I also love the iconic Center Stage.
Favourite moment on stage?
I simply love the feeling dancing on stage with big audience and especially when I feel audience is breathing with dancers and orchestra, the moment of all become together!
What repertoire/role do you aspire to perform?
I have so many but, Giselle came up my mind first!
Who is your dance idol or mentor?
I have so many! Dorothée Gilbert and Julie Kent are my forever idols since I started dancing.
Do you prefer the classical or contemporary repertoire?
I love watching both but, if I am the dancer, I prefer Classical!
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
Outside of class and training, I spent time watching movies, doing yoga, cooking, learning language, FaceTiming my family and friends!
What are you most looking forward to about being back in the studio?
I cannot wait to start preparing for performance, learning pieces, rehearsals, however, just dancing with live music in a big space having people around me is very exciting after this long time of working from home.
What do you think makes TAB such an incredible company to be a part of?
I think this company has a combination of both sides, historical tradition and new modern creativity like not many other company does and, as a dancer it’s one of the most important things that we can experience variety types of repertoire.
Also, the wonderful health team!!
What is your biggest aspiration for your career?
Firstly, I want to be a dancer who carries the show and who draws an audience in to the story/performance and making an audiences time in the theatre special. Also, as a Japanese dancer, It will be so special if I can go back to perform in Japan for the company’s oversea tour. And hopefully, being a small part of the change that Japans stance towards the theatre art forms because, theatre arts aren’t valued as much and it isn’t as popular as developed countries of theatre arts like Australia.
