Queensland Ballet's Community Engagement team is heading to NT!

Queensland Ballet’s (QB) Community Engagement regional tour is heading to the Northern Territory in September.

The annual regional tour kicked off in July, with QB’s Education Teaching Artists taking a touch of ballet magic across Queensland and for the first time, Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.

Enabled by the Darwin City Council, Katherine Town Council and Alice Springs Town Council, QB’s Teaching Artists will provide Community Classes, In-school workshops and Teacher Professional Development sessions in each location.

Whether you are an aspiring ballerina or danseur, or just love to dance, there is something on offer for all ages and abilities.

Community Classes range from QB Petit Pointers (2-5yrs), aimed to enthral the littlest lovers of dance, to a tailored Ballet for Seniors class for mature active adults. Children from six to 17-years-old will also delight in tailored ballet workshops.

The In-School workshops provide educative and inclusive dance experiences for students in kindergartens and schools. The workshops are delivered by an expert team of QB Teaching Artists, and are designed to complement the Early Years Learning Framework, Australian Curriculum and Senior Dance Syllabus learning outcomes.

In what will be QB’s biggest Community Engagement regional tour to date, the team are travelling to 34 locations over just six months.

An annual tradition for QB, the Community Engagement regional tour aims to inspire regional communities, providing them the opportunity to experience the physical, social and emotional benefits of dance. Last year’s tour reached over 2,900 participants across 19 local government areas, with the 2021 tour forecast to engage over 8,000 people.

Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO is excited to see the tour expand to new locations, including Weipa, Thargomindah and Alice Springs, enabled by the focused support of generous donors.

“We are incredibly grateful to our loyal donors, who allow us to connect with communities all across Queensland and beyond,” said Mr Li.

“Dance has the incredible ability to transform lives, whether it’s through the physical movement, the social aspect or the creative expression.

For QB Education Manager Martha Godber, this Community Engagement tour will mark her eighth year on the road delivering the program.

“We are thrilled to be visiting more regional communities than ever before , and so excited to bring our QB education and community workshops to people in Northern Territory and rural Queensland,” said Ms Godber.

“As we build capacity to grow our community regional touring program, we are able to make inclusive dance experiences more accessible and provide opportunity for people across the state to engage with QB.

“Queensland Ballet is also proud to partner with local councils to develop a longer lasting impact, and ensure these communities have continued access to workshops and opportunities to engage with the company over multiple years,” she added.

To find out more about QB’s Community Engagement regional tour, head to: https://www.queenslandballet.com.au/community/regional-and-international-programs/2020-regional-school-and-community-workshops