Victorian Dance Festival (VDF) has recently announced its much anticipated 2020 professional development day for teachers and studio owners, Vitality Teacher Day, to be held on April 3.
After a sellout 2019 event at the Melbourne Zoo Leopard Lodge, tickets are already selling fast for the 2020 programme, which will be held in an elegant hidden ballroom overlooking the Melbourne skyline. Myer Mural Hall is quite simply the most exquisite, European style venue in Melbourne. Complete with eight stunning murals depicting the achievements of great women in history, Myer Mural Hall embodies sophistication and heritage rarely seen in Australian venues.
“We are excited to bring Vitality Teacher Day to such an exclusive and inspiring space, and one that has been home to Melbourne’s most glamorous balls and events,” says VDF Director Deborah Searle. “We want to honour our dance educators and studio owners with a day of inspiration, celebration and empowerment, and a venue of this calibre only adds to that special atmosphere.”
With keynote presentations, as well as dance workshops exclusively for dance teachers and studio owners, there’s something for all dance educators at the event. “Attendees will hear from the world’s leading experts in dance education, dance health and studio business management, plus enjoy movement classes from the industry’s most celebrated and inspiring choreographers, including highly sort after international guests,” says Searle.
In 2019, Emmy Award-winning, contemporary choreographer Travis Wall travelled from New York for the event, captivating the teachers with a stunning contemporary class. The energy on the dance floor was palpable. Teachers remarked about how it was such a special opportunity to have classes just for them, by world leading choreographers, when usually it’s just the students who get to experience workshops. And for those who didn’t want to dance, there were seminars to choose from, or they could watch and note the choreography and concepts for their own classes.
2020 speakers announced so far include Sue Mayes, director of Artistic Health at The Australian Ballet, who has much to share from her 10 years of research into the most rewarding and safe stretching techniques; Jane Grech of Dance Studio Success; and Lucy Durack, award-winning Australian musical theatre sweetheart, known for Wicked, Legally Blonde, Shrek and as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent. Add to that Andrew Pilcher, renowned West End London physiotherapist whose clients have included the likes of The Royal Ballet and ColdPlay; and Will Centurion, mental health coach and creator of The Teacher’s Mental Health Toolkit, plus leading international guests (yet to be announced). We can’t wait!
The event, presented by sponsors Show Works and DanceSurance, includes a fully catered morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and champagne, and with a stream especially for studio owners, and 20 different industry providers exhibiting and sharing their latest products and services, there’s something for everyone.
Early Bird tickets are on sale until January 31, at www.VDF.com.au/teacherday. Vitality Teacher Day tickets include the entire day’s programme, plus free access to Energetiks Victorian Dance Festival, held at Batman Royale on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5. The VDF weekend includes back-to-back classes all weekend, a large dance market and two live shows each night. With a Vitality Teacher Day pass, educators are free to join in or watch any classes they like over the weekend and enjoy the dance market, too.
Dance Informa is proud to be the media partner for Vitality Teacher Day and Victorian Dance Festival.
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