The Australian Ballet School is the premier ballet training facility in Australia, located in Melbourne.

History

The Australian Ballet School was founded in 1964 as the primary training facility for The Australian Ballet by Dame Margaret Scott AC DBE.

Location

It is part of the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct, Southbank in Melbourne, Victoria.

Governance and funding

The school is a registered charity, with about a third of its income provided by the Australian Government, about a third by tuition fees, and the rest via philanthropy, corporate support and box office. It is one of eight "national elite training organisations" funded by the Office for the Arts as part of its or ARTS8 (Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence) group of colleges.

Education

The Australian Ballet School is a registered training organisation. The Australian Ballet company draws 95% of its dancers from the school, and many graduates dance as principals and soloists around the world. Offered are:

Audition process

Prospective students must audition for entry to the school.

Annual Tour with The Australian Ballet

Since 1980, students in the graduate year (Level 8) of the school can take part in The Australian Ballet's national tours.

Boarding Program

Marilyn Rowe House is the school's boarding house for students aged 13-18.

Directors

Notable alumni

• Stephen Baynes • Ann Burbrook • Christina Davis • Madeleine Eastoe • Roma Egan • Beverly Jane Fry • Kip Gamblin • Jason Gardiner • Ella Havelka • Margaret Illmann • Janet Karin • Goh Soo Khim • Ako Kondo • Marilyn Ledwidge • Tracy Li • Kirsty Martin • David McAllister, AM • John Meehan • Graeme Murphy, AM • Gideon Obarzanek • Hannah O'Neill • Emilie de Ravin • Danielle Rowe • Marilyn Rowe, OBE • Amber Scott • Hugh Sheridan • Ian Spink • Garry Stewart • Ross Stretton • Meryl Tankard • Leigh Warren • Marisa Warrington • Jodie-Anne White • Elisha Willis