PROJECTion Dance and Director Tim Podesta are honoured to name Ms. Burnise Silvius as our International Ambassador

Tim Podesta said this of Burnise’s appointment, “When you see Burnise’s resume It is only fitting that she be PROJECTion Dance International Ambassador. Burnise has performed around the globe with State Theatre Ballet/PACT, South African Ballet Theatre,  Hong Kong Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, in Denmark and Russia performing all of the classics as well as modern works by the modern greats. A highlight of my own career was dancing a duet in Val Caniparoli’s ‘Lambarena’ with Burnise. PROJECTion is about creating cutting edge work in a way that makes the art form accessible to everyone and Burnise is the perfect ambassador to highlight that message.”

 Photo Courtesy of Sth African Ballet Theatre

Doctor Alfeen Varghese joins PROJECTion Dance Advisory Board

PROJECTion Dance are delighted to announce that avid PROJECTion Dance supporter DR. Alfeen Varghese, will be joining the PROJECTion Advisory Board. Artistic Director Tim Podesta said this of the addition to the board, " The addition of Doctor Varghese to the board demonstrates the commitment that PROJECTion has to continuing the evolution of being a socio-cultural dance company. She is an exceptional woman, and has shown me, personally and PROJECTion Dance incredible support. Dr Varghese brings a depth of knowledge that will see PROJECTion lead the way in dance research and education".  

Victoria Ballard joins the team at PROJECTion Dance

PROJECTion Dance is excited to announce that Victoria Ballard will be joining the team as our Community Cultural Development Officer!

Victoria comes with a lot of experience, she has a BA in Performing and Screen Arts from Unitec, has danced professionally, is a dance educator and a qualified massage therapist. PROJECTion Artistic Director Tim Podesta said "With Victoria joining the team we are bound to move and move very quickly. Having seen Victoria develop in to the multi talented, successful woman she is, leaves me with no doubt that PROJECTion is going to be taking massive leaps forward."

'REAL'

PROJECTion Dance 'Real'

Inclusive classes for people with disabilities, space and movement for sufferers of poor mental health, recognising diversity with diverse styles, science, national and international performances – all fine pursuits , but from a dance company? This is what you get from PROJECTion Dance, whose interest in the process of working with everyone and making dance accessible to anyone has taken it to many places. Why? Well, because we can and we should.

This approach to our craft tries to find solutions to the question of how to get people dancing and watching dance, riveted by basic movement and enthralled by the refinements that go into making the professional product. PROJECTion’s drive is to create the most unexpected dance programs and productions in the world and our expertise and no fear approach make it possible.

When there are companies with double, triple our funding talking about making it happen, they are too late we have already done it.

PROJECTion Dancer Nicala Knight has lots to say......

PROJECTion Dancer Nicala Knight blogs about her time working with Darren Webster from Cirque du Soleil!!

Day 1

Today was the first day of training with Darren Webster.
After warming up we got straight in to doing drills and technique for what the day had a head.
I only had an hour with Darren, he is so experienced so in that time I learnt a lot. We started off with back handsprings, which I can’t quite do by myself but I'm pretty close. Before the end of the session we started on how to do aerials. Awesome Day!

Day 2

Day two in Sydney with Darren Webster from Cirque du Soleil,

Today when I got to the gym I warmed up and had a big stretch as I was a bit tender from day 1! We went through the drills from the day before and expanded on necessary techniques.

Gymnastics although very physical and expansive is different to dance in the muscular intensity required, dancers work long and hard to develop the legs and core while the arms more often than not are present for aesthetics, gymnastics focuses on a complete strength and functionality, which is obviously why dance is an art form and Gymnastics is a sport!

Day 3

Today with Darren I continued working on the same drills and techniques we have been doing to build muscle memory so we can get the consistency to repeat and retain correct form.
I ended up doing back handsprings by myself and can do aerials with assistance from Darren.
After work with Darren I went to Sydney Dance and did a JFH (jazz, funk, hip hop) it was a great class and I loved the choreography. It was great to move like a dancer again but I am loving enhancing my skills with Darren’s expertise.

Day 4

I am really starting to back handsprings so much better and am feeling more condiment with aerials too! Darren is still spotting but is confident that I’ll be doing them on my own tomorrow. It’s been such a pleasure to work with Darren, his knowledge is amazing and I am so glad he is on the board advisors for PROJECTion Dance.

I went to SDC again and this time I did a contemporary class, the teacher was Brian Carbee. It was very ballet based, which I have been working a lot on lately due to our work with guest choreographer Simon Hoy. I am really looking forward to the HEART project as it’s very modern. Keep posted to find out more about the HEART Project.

Day 5

I have to say I have had an awesome time working with Darren from Cirque du Soleil. He is such a great teacher and I learnt so much from him. Apart from the acro skills themselves, we have also learnt about presentation of acro skills so that it doesn’t look like a trick. I believe that’s what has made Cirque du Soleil so popular, their ability to make tricks look beautiful and a part of the big picture. Thank you Darren! Now back to Tim to work on the HEART Project. Thanks to the people that blogged with their questions I hope my answers helped.