Queensland Ballet Academy officially opens

The $17.7 million Queensland Ballet Academy has officially opened at Kelvin Grove State College with the facility featuring six large dance studios, two multi-purpose rooms, a gym, physio room, staff rooms and able to accommodate up to 180 students in 2020.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace joined the Governor of Queensland, Kelvin Grove SC Executive Principal Llew Paulger, Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin and the school community in opening the facility.

Minister Grace advised “today is historic day for the arts in Brisbane and Queensland. We know how much this amazing centre means to our state school students who have their eye on a professional career in ballet.

“The centre will support world-class training and education while also attracting elite dance students from across Australia and overseas to train under the creative direction of Queensland Ballet.”

From 2021, the Queensland Ballet Academy will extend its intensive dance training program to talented students in Years 7 to 12. The program is currently available to students in Years 10, 11 and 12.

Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin said the completion of the facility was a game-changer for dance education in Queensland adding “Queensland Ballet is incredibly proud to have been part of this important project.

“It is the next step in our 30-year partnership with Kelvin Grove State College.

“Together we have created an elite ballet training facility that will attract talented students from across the country and internationally.

“The Queensland Ballet Academy will create an enduring legacy for future generations, and we look forward to training and nurturing our ballet students in a professional, world-class setting.”

Kelvin Grove State College Executive Principal Llew Paulger said the school community was rapt with the new building and enthused “we have offered excellence programs in dance for the past 30 years, including our ballet program in partnership with the Queensland Ballet.

“The new Queensland Ballet Academy at Kelvin Grove State College combines world class ballet education and training with our world-class educational programs. Having the Queensland Ballet Academy, actually located within the College, is the first Ballet Academy of its type anywhere in the world.

“We hope to attract Australia’s best young dancers to the academy, as well as becoming the first choice for dancers in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Image top: courtesy of Queensland Ballet https://www.queenslandballet.com.au; image above of the $17.7 million Queensland Ballet Academy at Kelvin Grove State College