Scottish dance and ballet collided last Friday when Queensland Ballet’s gifted Jette Parker Young Artists performed two world premieres at The J Theatre as part of the Noosa Alive! Festival.
The audience was wowed by the skill of the dancers as they switched dance styles and costumes, from tartan kilts to tutus, when performing two separate ballets choreographed by Queensland Ballet ballet masters Paul Boyd and Matthew Lawrence.
Boyd’s contemporary piece, Tartan, which was inspired by a suite of Scottish music, told a story of a lifetime of dance memories of an old man, played on stage by Graeme Collins, whose own dancing career spans the globe over many decades.
Lawrence’s Tchaikovsky Mash evoked the classical era of dance, influenced by the music of Tchaikovsky.
Their performance marked a decade partnership between Queensland Ballet and Noosa Alive! and the final year for Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin who spoke to the audience about the initiation of the partnership, its success and his retirement from the company at the end of the year.
“How delighted we are to return to Noosa Alive. Since first invited by (Noosa Alive! artistic director) Ian Mackellar, this year is the 10th anniversary,“ Li said.
Ian approached Li soon after he came on board as artistic director of Queensland Ballet and despite Li’s initial reservations, Ian’s persistence paid off with enduring benefits.
“It’s just such a highlight each year. It gave us this incredible opportunity for our upcoming young artists to perform on their own and taught them to shine as stars in their own right. It’s such a fantastic partnership,“ Li said.
The Jette Parker Young Artists program began about 11 years ago when Li was judging one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions in Lausanne Switzerland and approached Alan and Jetta Parker.
The Parkers, who resided in Switzerland, had previously established the Oak Foundation, an artists program supporting opera singers and Li knew Jetta loved ballet.
“So with little expectations we had dinner in Lausanne. I asked if they could help us with a similar program but for young dancers. They said yes,“ Li said.
The program was originally for six young dancers on condition their contribution was matched. That program now has 12 young artists.
“The Jetta Parker Young Artists program is one of most incredible achievements of my tenure at Queensland Ballet,“ Li said.
“I’m Incredibly proud of the level of talent coming through the program and the opportunities we manage to give them, and to give them that skill set and the training and nurturing to help them grow wings to allow them to fly high and far.
“Most years the new (company) dancers are from that program and many dancers have been dancing in companies around the world.
“I truly believe this program is the world’s best program.“
Li thanked audience members who had also supported the program.
He said he was also proud of the opportunities given to all members of Queensland Ballet during his tenure.
“Something I will always treasure is to realise that through building up the success of Queensland Ballet a lot of people have come through, got valuable experience and gone on to other companies, becoming leaders and making their own positive impacts to our society.
“I’m very proud for what my team has delivered, taking it from a small regional company to a standard that is so truly admired and respected around the globe.
“When I came on board we had 23 dancers. Now, including the artists, we have 60. Grown from less than 50 people, we have over 200 people.“
Queensland Ballet now operates from the Thomas Dixon Centre at West End, an academy at Kelvin Grove College and has bought land at Yatala where construction of a production centre is well underway, he said.
