Jasmine Bowker dances like an angel on a pinhead. The Coolum High schoolgirl is just 14 and next June, if she can raise the funding, she is off to Germany to take up a scholarship at the world-renowned John Cranko School of Ballet in Stuttgart.
Jasmine is a student at the Dance Centre, Peregian Springs and earlier this year in Sydney she won a scholarship for one week’ tuition at the Stuttgart school.
And, according to Deborah Preece-Brocksom, who co-owns the Centre with her husband Richard Leader (ex Royal Ballet): “If the teachers of dance like what they see, she could well be invited to join the school as a full-time student when she is older.
“In the world of ballet, the school founder John Cranko was one of those great names who will be in the history books in 100 years’ time as a choreographer. An invitation to join the school is one of the most sought after in ballet.”
She said Jasmine was one of 800 dancers from the Asia-Pacific region who took part in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition in Sydney in September.
“The finals came down to 20 dancers on stage with directors watching and all the big ballet schools around the world zooming in. It was quite tense for her. ‘You’ve got to nail the jumps,’ I told her.”
Deborah and Richard opened the school 20 years ago which has notched up and impressive honours list with graduates moving on to institutions like The Royal Ballet School, New Zealand School of Dance, Dutch National Ballet School and The Australian Ballet School,
Queensland Ballet Academy and the Sydney Dance Company Graduate Programme.
Deborah was six and living in the UK when she saw Margot Fonteyn on TV in “The Sleeping Beauty” and fell in love with dance.
“My mother said there was a ballet school next to her hairdresser and I went there every Saturday. Teachers from the Royal Ballet who were scouting came and picked me when I was nine. I went to ballet boarding school and I loved it.
“When I was 17, I auditioned for a ballet company and I wasn’t a day out of work till I was 39 when I changed over to being ballet company director.
“While I danced as a soloist all over the world, I concentrated on Germany and I lived there for 15 years. My first real solo performance was in the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake, and it felt like I had finally reached my true home. I felt completely fulfilled.”
Deborah and Richard met while they were both in the ballet company in the State Theatre of Braunschweig. “I know it sounds terribly corny but we ended up dancing Romeo and Juliet together.”
We were sitting outside the Dance Centre’s Tewantin Hall with Deborah, her mum Natalie and Kate Hart, ArtsNational Noosa Young Arts Coordinator, whose group is sponsoring the young dancer.
Said Kate: “ArtsNational is a not for profit run by volunteers and we present programmes for members each month featuring international speakers on topics related to the arts. We also financially assist young local people to engage in the arts.
“Our Noosa society sponsors emerging ballet students from the Dance Centre Peregian Springs, one of them being Alfie Shacklock from when he was 12. He trained with the Royal Ballet in London and was selected for Birmingham Royal Ballet and on his recent return to Australia is a Company Artist with the Queensland Ballet.
“Other Dance Centre students we’ve supported are Yamina Yehoshua (17) who was offered a place at the Australian Ballet School and Amy Westcott (17). Amy won a scholarship for the Summer School in Winnipeg Canada which she attended in 2024. She then won a two year scholarship with The Dutch National Ballet School 2025 where she is now studying for an associate degree.
“Last year in January we supported the People’s Choice Award in the Under 40’s art competition at the Butter Factory, Cooroy, won by Jasmine Veronique, a talented floral and figurative artist.
“We also support accomplished Year 12 students at Sunshine Beach State High School in furthering their arts and musical careers.”
Kate added: “One project dear to our hearts is the Sunshine Butterflies “Kiss My Art” program which gives people with a disability the chance to communicate through creating art.”
And last word to Jasmine who was at the meeting with her mum, Natalie, and who has already started to learn German. “I’ve been dancing for since I was five and I really enjoy it. I am looking forward to the training and the new experience and coming back with new skills.”
