Dance changes you. More than simply witnessing something beautiful, or engaging with culture, to experience dance is to be positively altered. From performances at the Joyce Theatre in New York and Shanghai Grand Centre, to the central desert in Alice Springs and the Harbour Foreshore at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Dance Company has proved that there are no passive observers in a contemporary dance audience.
The reward of truly moving audiences, and the raw pride of sharing Australian art with the world has driven our ensemble of 17 dancers, led by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, to become one of the world’s strongest forces in contemporary dance. Alongside Bonachela’s original works, our programs have featured guest choreographers like Jacopo Godani, Melanie Lane, Antony Hamilton, Alexander Ekman, Gideon Obarzanek, Marina Mascarell, Gabrielle Nankivell and Cheng Tsung-lung, as well as collaborations with Sydney Festival, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Composing Women and composers Bryce Dessner, Nick Wales, 48nord and the late Ezio Bosso.
Sydney Dance Company has a broad community beyond the practice and performance of our lead dancers. We believe in the universality of dance, and with the largest public dance class program in Australia, people can connect with the grace, strength and creativity that lives within all of us. Our nationwide education program offers a strategic curriculum targeting primary and secondary students through to career focused study for pre-professional dancers and university graduates.
Led by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, Sydney Dance Company is at the forefront of contemporary dance, both in Australia and internationally.
As a Pre-Professional Year dancer, being immersed in this environment enables the young dancer to cultivate an inquisitive mind and sophisticated movement.
With Linda Gamblin, Sydney Dance Company’s Head of Training, at the helm, the Pre-Professional Year is designed as a one or two year program providing both unparalleled industry experience and a vocational qualification .
Pre-Professional Year dancers work with numerous national and international contemporary choreographers and industry specialists each year who offer a variety of unique movement philosophies and techniques to enhance training and development.
The knowledge and skills shared by these artists and educators gives the PPY dancers an opportunity refine and develop their technique and performance skills while working and collaborating with prominent members of the performing arts industry. Focus on collaboration nourishes inclusiveness within the group and strengthens the ability and efficacy of the individual dancer. Exploring a variety of strategies to embrace varied processes cultivates emotional intelligence and analytical thinking.
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Sydney Dance Company is offering brand-new accredited short courses aimed at enhancing knowledge and understanding of concurrent dance practice, covering insightful perspectives in movement methods, performance, choreography, and self-producing skills.
Learn moreGuided by seasoned artists and educators who have successfully navigated the funding landscape, you’ll gain invaluable insights into the art of articulating your creative concepts with precision. Through real-world funding application templates and first-hand experiences, our educators and guest speakers, including accomplished independent choreographers and current peer assessors, will demystify the application process from various angles.
This course is open to all creatives looking to develop their self producing skills, whether your background is in visual arts, theatre, film or dance. No professional experience is required.
From understanding the industry and the funding support available at local, state, and federal levels, to delving into foundation fellowships and a diverse range of application scenarios this course equips you with the knowledge and confidence to pursue funding opportunities with clarity and purpose. During the course you will explore the nuances of how applications are assessed, unravel the criteria that shape successful proposals and get a behind-the-scenes look into the discussions that unfold during peer assessment processes.
On the completion of Fund Your Next Project Accredited Short Course, a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the following unit of competencies will be awarded.
Learn moreLed by dance and film specialists, this immersive course delves into the art of choreography for the camera, exploring camera work, the dancing body and its impact on choreography.
Whether you’re a dance enthusiast, aspiring artist, or simply curious about creative movement for film, this accredited short course will develop your skills and understanding of a variety of camera movements and positionings to capture the dancing body. Over six sessions participants will explore choreography for film and develop editing techniques to enhance choreographic vision for dance on film. The workshops will culminate in the creation of a short filmic product to share in the final week at an in-house film screening for friends and family.
On the completion of this Dance on Film Accredited Short Course, a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the following unit of competencies will be awarded.
Learn moreThe Movement Mastery Accredited Short Course is an exploration into a wide array of movement techniques and body awareness philosophies led by expert dance educators, choreographers, and movement specialists.
Over the duration of the course the participants will explore improvisation techniques, somatic self-observation processes, kinaesthetic principles, and mindful movement concepts, facilitating a deeper understanding of deliberate action in movement. Each session builds upon the last, allowing participants to progressively deepen their knowledge and skills, ultimately mastering dance movement.
This course is suitable for all levels and individuals wishing to expand their approach to movement practices.
On the successful completion of the Movement Mastery Accredited Short Course, participants will receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the following unit of competency.
Learn moreSydney Dance Company is excited to once again offer its Choreographic Practice Accredited Short Course as a one-week intensive.
The specialised Choreographic Practice Accredited Short Course offers learners a diverse range of choreographic tools to support their dance-making and creative practices. Across a period of five days, participants will meet with influential choreographers and choreographic educators to explore various tools, techniques, methods, and processes for creating original solo works.
This accredited course is suitable for dance students and professionals with an interest in developing their choreographic practice, as well as performing arts teachers working in creative industries or education wishing to expand their skillset.
Learn moreThis unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply an understanding of the connection between safe dance practice and human body structure. The unit applies to those who are dancers and other performers and who apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit in daily training sessions to avoid injury, or to adjust their approach to physical fitness training. At this level people take responsibility for their own outputs and activity is usually self-directed, though some guidance from teachers or mentors could be expected.
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