Page 12 - Dance Guide 2020

CECCHETTI BALLET AUSTRALIA
Charlotte Chivers
History:
Italian-born Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) followed an illustrious career as a dancer at La Scala in Milan and the Maryinsky Theatre in Russia with an equally illustrious career as a teacher. Among his pupils were Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky. In the early 1920s he created his own method of teaching with professional dancers of that era.
His method was codified in 1922 and it is the foundation of the method taught by Cecchetti organisations throughout the world today. The Cecchetti Society was established in Australia in 1934 with the arrival of Madame Lucie Saronova, an ex-student of Cecchetti. Now known as Cecchetti Ballet Australia, we became a founder member of Cecchetti International – Classical Ballet in 1997.
Cecchetti Ballet is a leader in Australian dance education. It is an energetic organisation truly dedicated to the Art of Ballet. Cecchetti Ballet Australia has been training ballet teachers and students since 1934 and has a proud heritage directly linked to the classical traditions of 19th century Europe. Enrico Cecchetti contributed significantly to the development and strength of Russian ballet. He was a great virtuoso dancer, world acclaimed teacher and an innovator ahead of his time.
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR:
National Chairperson: Carole Hall OAM and State Representatives.
PATRON:
Colin Peasley OAM, FISTD; Dr Lucette Aldous AC; Dame Darcey Bussell DBE
HEADQUARTERS:
Address: PO Box 425, Clifton Hill VIC 3068 Phone: 03 9489 5682
Website: www.cecchettiballet.org Email: enrico@cecchettiballet.org Facebook: Cecchetti Ballet Australia Instagram: cecchetti.australia
GRADING SYSTEM:
Two streams have been formulated to meet the different needs of recreational and professional dancers. Recreational: Pre-Primary-Grade 6, Dance Spectrum 1 & 2. Professional: Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2.
MARKING AND ASSESSMENT
Students may either be assessed or examined. Examination students receive a certificate, report and mark, students who pass their examinations can enter the State Medal Awards, the Lucie Saronova Memorial Awards and the Valrene Tweedie Trust Award. Assessment students receive a certificate and report.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS:
Cecchetti Ballet Australia offers teaching qualifications at Associate, Associate Diploma, Licentiate, Licentiate Diploma and Fellowship level.
A Registered Training Organisation (RTO 21211) since 2002 and currently offers the CUA40313 Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management.
COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS:
The triennial Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition held in one of the CICB countries is to be hosted by Sydney, Australia in 2020.
The biennial $10, 000 Valrene Tweedie Scholarship is awarded in memory of the late Valrene Tweedie to assist worthy young dancers in pursuing their dreams.
Each State holds Enrico Cecchetti Medal Awards, culminating in the prestigious National Lucie Saronova Memorial Awards where representatives from each State compete for medals and cash prizes.
Scholarships are awarded in each State for Excellence in Examinations.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Teacher conferences held on a rotational basis in each State, courses, Mentor programs, Summer & Winter Schools, Master Classes, choreographic competitions, monthly Scholars
Master classes and more.
PHILOSOPHY:
The aims of Cecchetti Ballet Australia are to provide our teachers and students with the best ballet education, inspire them to achieve their full potential and foster in them a love and enjoyment of dance.
Parents and students can be assured that Cecchetti Ballet:
• Maintains and expects high standards
in the professional development of
its teachers.
• All teachers hold first aid and Working
with Children or police checks. • Provides graded
developmental syllabi relevant
to children of today.
• Delivers flexible assessment and examination options for parents and students, giving them the opportunity to set goals and achieve success.
• Cecchetti nurtures artistic creativity in children, artistic awareness, a love of movement and an appreciation of all other art forms, especially music.
Many professional dancers hold their Cecchetti Ballet training and the teachers who taught them in high esteem.
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020 | WWW.DANCEAUSTRALIA.COM.AU | 53
PHOTO: BELINDA STRODDER