Tim Podesta – Director
Tim is a graduate of the Australian Ballet School and was a soloist dancer with State Theatre Ballet/PACT (Sth Africa) Tokyo City Ballet and guest artist performing roles by Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, August Bournonville, Paul Taylor, Ronald Hynd, David Bintley, Natalie Weir and Val Canniporoli before retiring in 2005 due to a chronic knee injury.
In 2006 Tim founded PROJECTion Dance Company. Regionally based, PROJECTion Dance serves as a laboratory for artists, therapists and practitioners to explore developments in dance and the evolution of dance across many borders including professional dance performances, inclusive dance practice, dance education and specific areas of dance medicine. With leading collaborators, The PROJECTion Dance mission is to deliver dance to the public in new ways through professional entertainment and cultural enrichment.
Today PROJECTion Dance receives funding from numerous funding bodies, space grants, and corporate sponsorship. PROJECTion has toured Australia and New Zealand including Tempo Dance Festival where Tim’s work Visceral was nominated for Best Choreography and PROJECTion Dancer Jana Castillo was nominated for Best Female performance, Visceral was also long listed for the Australian Dance Awards. Tim’s work has featured in Film, Television and on stages throughout the world, including- Best Foreign Film at the Queens International Film Festival in New York, national television broadcasts and works on Ballet Wales UK, South African Ballet Theatre, and numerous international festivals and gala’s.
Tim’s work in inclusive dance practice began as one of the founding members of The Dis/assemble Project. The Dis/assemble Project is a contemporary dance company encompassing disabled and able dancers utilizing multi media collaborations. Dis/assembles work has been documented for television and broadcast nationally. In 2011 Tim was invited to join esteemed panel members Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director Sydney Dance Company, Philip Channells, Artistic Director Restless Dance Theatre, Adelaide, Cathy Murdoch, Director of Ausdance NSW to contribute to a symposium initiated by Accessible Arts. The symposium aimed to discuss and identify pathways for professional opportunities in inclusive dance practice and develop stronger connections in the current landscape. In 2010 Tim was one of ten artists selected to feature in the book ‘Seeded’ acknowledging great arts and health stories from across the country.
As a teacher/coach Tim has vast experience in designing and managing client programs to facilitate personal physical and intellectual development through targeted communication strategies and leadership skills. He has served as a consultant and lecturer to assist individuals/organisations to develop positive training experiences to inspire the confidence required to succeed in high performance areas. These areas have included vocational and professional dancers, high performance gymnasts, circus artists and athletes. Including- Fruit Fly Circus, A4 Circus Ensemble, consultant to Darren Webster Cirque du Soleil & Queensland Academy of Sport, IndepenDance, South African Ballet Theatre, Ballet Wales UK, Footnote Dance Company and 'Science of Dance' for National Science Week.
Tim’s strengths as a teacher/coach are enhanced by his experience in treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions by targeting and improving ROM (range of movement), soft tissue integrity and enhancing full body function. As a therapist Tim has worked with principal dancers, marathon runners, national swimmers and high performance gymnasts from around the world.
Tim holds an Adv. Dip Myotherapy, Adv. Dip Aust. Ballet School, A recognised Master Trainer (Fitness Australia) and this year will receive a BA in Screen and Performing Arts through Auckland Unitec.
Victor Esguerra- PROJECTion.Edu Co-ordinator
Victor Esguerra grew up in Melbourne and from a young age was always very active enjoying many sports including soccer, rugby and judo it wasn’t long before he started dance. At the age of fifteen he commenced training at the Regional Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) in Albury/Wodonga. After two years training under Tim Podesta, Victor was accepted in to the Australian Ballet School’s Advanced Diploma in Dance where he also completed his Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Upon graduation Victor received a coveted contract with the Australian Ballet Company performing many ballets including Graeme Murphy’s Silver Rose and Sir Peter Wrights The Nutcracker. As a dancer Victor has toured overseas to America, the Philippines, Japan and around Australia.
In 2011 Victor was invited to become a vocational teacher at the Regional Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) and in 2012 to develop the PROJECTion.EDU schools program with PROJECTion Dance Company.
Victor, like his family before, joined The Army Reserves transport Corps in Bendigo and is often sought after as a motivational role model for boys in dance.