The panel of the Australian Dance Awards has announced that the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2016 will be presented to prominent West Australian Terri Charlesworth OAM CitWA. It noted Charlesworth’s initiative, dedication, generosity and passion and how she has greatly influenced generations of Western Australian dancers. In addition to being a dazzling performer, Charlesworth has had outstanding success as a teacher and leader in dance education and training.
Terri Charlesworth with a student. Photo by Darren Clark.
Charlesworth joined The West Australian Ballet in 1953 for its inaugural season and was later appointed Assistant Artistic Director. Her career has included successfully representing Australia in the 1957 International Arts Competition in Moscow, establishing the renowned Terri Charlesworth Ballet School in Perth, introducing the Russian method to The Australian Ballet School, establishing the first three-year tertiary dance course in Western Australia, co-founding Western Australia’s first professional contemporary company Kinetikos in 1978, and founding Youth Ballet WA as the artistic director.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is supported by renowned dance supplier Gaynor Minden. Australian representative Paquita Farmer said, “Terri Charlesworth is a worthy recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Her contribution to the development of ballet in Australia has been outstanding.”
Presented by Ausdance and Harlequin Floors, the 2016 Australian Dance Awards will be held at The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia in Perth on Sunday, September 18, at 6:30pm as part of the 2016 MoveMe Festival. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.
For more information on the Australian Dance Awards, visit www.australiandanceawards.net.au. For further information on Terri Charlesworth, head to ausdance.org.au. Click here to see the official shortlist of the 2016 Australian Dance Awards.
Photo (top): Ochre Contemporary Dance Company in performance. Photo by Dana Weeks, courtesy of Ausdance.
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