Paul Malek, a former So You Think You Can Dance mentor, leads Transit Dance, a full time, professional and pre-professional contemporary dance course in Kensington, Melbourne. Malek says that what is unique about Transit Dance is “we create and all learn within a nurturing environment, with great support staff for our students, to make sure they feel comfortable to be themselves. Not feel judged when things aren’t going their way on any given day, and constantly strive to be greater in every aspect of their life, not just in dance.”
Transit Dance Diploma Graduate Kaitlin Malone and Second Year Adrien Tucker. Photo by Paul Malek.
Malek and Transit Dance have announced a new professional pathway program for 2018. Malek has named this program Transit Dance International Professional Pathway (Tr.IPP), and he says it is a “high-intensity platform that will thrust participants daily into professional contexts. Whether that be in a company environment, or working as an independent, exploring their own processes whilst being constantly exposed to current and relevant artists’ processes within the contemporary realm. The opportunities and connections within this eigh-month program will propel the artists into the global stratosphere of contemporary dance. Their future pathways will be utterly inspiring.”
Tr.IPP will be led by choreographer, performer and educator Israel Aloni, who studied dance at Bat-Dor Dance Studios in Tel Aviv, and Thelma Yellin School of the Arts. As a performer, Aloni has worked with companies such as Göteborg Operans Danskompani, The Project Company of the Israeli Opera, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and with Sasha Waltz & Guests in Berlin, Germany. Malek says of Aloni, “Israel has extensive understanding of contemporary dance on a global level, and the people, companies and connections Israel brings with this will bring great success for Tr.IPP participants, both nationally and internationally. Due to this appointment, we have already received expressions of interest from all across the globe.”
Transit Dance Second Year dancers in Paul Malek’s ‘CHAIR’. Photo by Malek.
Within the Tr.IPP program, participants will work not only with Aloni but also with a range of industry professionals, including producers, directors, production managers and psychologists. Transit Dance will be announcing the choreographers for the 2018 Tr.IPP production season and tour soon.
Transit Dance does eight major production seasons, or 36 performances, within the contemporary and performing arts courses annually. “Because of this,” Malek says, “we utilize an in-house production team that trains students not only to be dancers but in everything it takes to put on a production from stage management and lighting, all the way through to marketing and publicity. We do not do competitions, so all our time is focused on the individual’s technique, professional industry knowledge and performance skills in a professional environment.”
Transit Dance First Year Diploma students Rachel Wood and Bailey Glen. Photo by Paul Malek.
He adds, “We are a family, and we hold that as the true core value that makes Transit a place to grow, prosper and succeed.”
For more information on Transit Dance and the Tr.IPP program, visit www.transitdance.com.au.
By Tamara Searle of Dance Informa.
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