Following the success of Dance and Dance Education in an Age of Interconnectivity, the Royal Academy of Dance Australia is hosting our fifth international conference; Dancing into the future: practices, insights & innovations. The conference aims to bring together dance teachers, scholars, researchers, practitioners, and innovators to investigate best practice in dance teaching with an exploration into both historical and contemporary approaches and a reorientation to teaching models and methods at the forefront of dance pedagogy.
“I am so pleased to be presenting our 5th conference in Sydney in January 2024 and I’m particularly excited to be hosting it in the beautiful spaces of Sydney Dance Company and Bangarra Dance Theatre. RAD Australia can’t wait to bring the dance community together again after a few years of digital dancing with an exciting programme of presentations, workshops and roundtable discussions.
Dancing into the future; practices, insights and innovations aims to continue our tradition of providing rich, learning and sharing experiences for dance teachers and industry professionals. The conference will offer opportunities to network, listen, learn and engage and stimulate thinking and ideas on dance and dance education.
Please consider joining us in Sydney for this inspiring and educational event, tickets are on sale now!”
Shelley Yacopetti, National Director, RAD Australia
Leading the Way Forward: Introducing the Presenters
at Dancing into the Future
The Royal Academy of Dance Australia is excited to to announce the full coterie of presenters for our upcoming conference, Dancing into the Future: practices, insights & innovations. This year's lineup features a diverse group of dance leaders, scholars, and practitioners who are shaping the future of dance education.
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Susan Koff
Currently Clinical Professor in the Dance Education Program at New York University Steinhart, USA, Dr Koff has over 30 years’ experience teaching dance education in higher education in the USA and internationally, including positions at Louisiana State University, Columbia University, University of Denver, Pennsylvania State University and the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in Israel. Currently serving as the Past Chair of Dance and the Child International (daCi), she was a Fulbright Scholar visiting the National School of Contemporary Dance in Copenhagen and the author of award winning book, Dance Education: A Redefinition, released in 2021.
Dr Koff was a speaker at the RAD UK Conference, Mapping Dance (2021), she featured in the RAD Guest Lecture Series (2022) and delivered a guest lecture for the MA in Education (Dance Teaching) students (2022). We are thrilled to have Dr Koff join us in Sydney and share her thoughts on the future of dance education.
Cocktail Party Guest Speaker: Lisa Pavane
Photo by Lynette Wills, 2022
We are thrilled to announce that Lisa Pavane, the esteemed Director of the Australian Ballet School and former Principal Artist of the Australian Ballet, will be an honored guest speaker at the Opening Cocktail Party of the Royal Academy of Dance Australia's fifth International Conference, "Dancing into the Future: Practices, Insights & Innovations." A luminary in the Australian dance industry, Lisa brings a wealth of experience as both a renowned teacher and accomplished dancer. Her insights into the evolving landscape of dance education and performance make her a most welcome guest.
Born in Newcastle NSW, Lisa Pavane joined The Australian Ballet School as a student in 1978 and trained under the founding Director of The Australian Ballet School, Dame Margaret Scott AC DBE.
In 2007 she joined The Australian Ballet School staff and in 2008 became the first graduate of the School’s Vocational Graduate Certificate in Elite Ballet Instruction. In 2012 Lisa became Head of Student Training, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship and gained her Graduate Certificate in Professional Education and Training. Lisa commenced as Director of The Australian Ballet School in 2015.
Panel of Presenters:
Day 1
Developing Higher Order Movement Skills in Twenty-First Century Dancers. Genevieve Morris, AUS
A Vision for Holistic Dance Education
Jane Andrewartha, AUS
Training Dancers for the Future: From Cygnets to Swans.
Jane Inglis-Keen, AUS
A Rambert Grades Discussion: An Inclusive Framework for Dance
Caroline Bowditch, UK
Coordination, Rhythm and Repetition in Dance
Helen Linkenbagh, UK
Early Movement Patterns by Progressing Ballet Technique
Marie Walton-Mahon, AUS
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Ballet Class Accessibility Beyond the Studio: Future of an Art Form
Ekaterina Kullengren, UKR
Pre-Professional Dancer Health Status and Preventative Health Knowledge: Current Insights and Future Recommendations
Dr Sara Grafenauer, AUS; Dr Joanna Nicholas, AUS
Practical Strategies for Integrating Dancer Wellness Initiatives into Private Dance Studio Timetables and Curricula
Julia Barry, AUS
Dance is for Every Body!
Jane Andrewartha, AUS
Dance for Older Adults: Essential Considerations for Optimising Health and Safety
Dr Rachel Ward, AUS
The Gold Moves Australia Approach: Enabling Older People to Thrive Through Dance
Gail Hewton, AUS; Julie Chenery, AUS
Engage & Release: A Practice for improving Dancers’ Biomechanic Understanding
Genevieve Morris, AUS
Innovative Nutrition Education for Dancers: Empowering their Health, Wellbeing, Performance and Selfcare
Fumi Somehara, AUS
The Knee: “Hyper or Not Hyper”- Aesthetics Versus Function
Sally Harrison, AUS
A Brain-Compatible Approach to Ballet: Crafting Creative Lessons for the 21st Century Dancer
Professor Susannah LeMarquand, USA; Professor Amanda Gabaldon, USA
Adapting Dance for Older Bodies for Safe, Engaging and Enjoyable Dance Experiences
Gail Hewton, AUS; Julie Chenery, AUS
Day 2
‘’I’ve Busted My Guts to Improve That Stuff’’
Janet Karin, AUS
Capturing Billy Elliot’s Flow Experience in Education
Dr Emma Killion, AUS
Michael Leslie – Life, Legacy, Future – Building an Aboriginal Dance & Theatre Leader
Dr Carol Marie Webster, USA
Dance, Neurodiversity and Inclusive Advocacy: Exploring the Dance Teachers’ Role in Creating an Inclusive Dance Space
Eloise Harris, AUS; Catherine Annable, AUS; Tristan Sinclair, AUS; Cassie Magill, AUS
Out of Breath in TWO: Originate and Perform Movements without Pre-Planning
Ginevra Cicatello, ITA
Developing a Comprehensive Foundation for Dance Technique and Artistry in the Very Early Years
Alice Hobden, AUS
Enabling Inclusion in Community Dance
Dr Olivia Millard, AUS
Nurturing the Evolving Mind of Adolescent Ballet Dancers: Supporting Mental and Physical Growth
Teagan Lowe, AUS; Lynette Wills, AUS; Gabrielle Davidson, AUS; Narelle Forbes, AUS
Dance for Older Adults: Essential Considerations for Optimising Health and Safety
Dr Rachel Ward, AUS
Enhancing Teaching Practice Language –
a Practical Exploration of Strategies to Promote a Growth Mindset and Foster Resilience Through Language and Imagery
Julia Barry, AUS
Seated Dance – The Next Genre
Paige Gordon, AUS
From Pouring In to Drawing Out: A New Educational Model for the Teaching of Dance
Mariah-Jane Thies, CAN
Enabling Inclusion in Community Dance
Dr Olivia Millard, AUS
Discovering Rambert Grades – A Taster Workshop
Holly Pooley, AUS