“It’s important to learn, to be inspired, to train in an environment that challenges you,” says Cassie Bartho, one of the guest instructors at this year’s Energetiks Victorian Dance Festival (VDF) taking place over 14 – 16 April in Melbourne.
Bartho, one of the leading commercial dancers and choreographers working in Australia today, is part of an incredible lineup of international dancers and choreographers who will be putting over 5,000 dancers across the weekend through their paces.
Whether your main focus is contemporary, ballet, commercial, hip hop, tap, jazz, musical theatre, Latin or another style, there is something to be said for experiencing it all. That’s exactly what’s on offer at VDF 2023 across two full days of eclectic dance workshops and the option to perform in their annual showcase gala, IGNITE.
With a finger on the beating pulse and an emphasis on eclectic exposure, Artistic Director Yvette Lee and the VDF team have curated an amazing instructor lineup including a range of Australian and international artists at the top of their game.
Festival instructors include Resident Choreographer for Royal New Zealand Ballet Loughlan Prior (Read about how Prior is the torch bearer for ballet of the future here in our recent interview.) Sought after commercial dancer Lauren Elton joins Bartho teaching commercial, whilst international hip hop dancer and choreographer Gina Michaels brings her unique flavour to the event for the first time. Musical theatre is fully represented with Amy Michaels and James Maxfield bringing their infinite talent and experience to the stage. Contemporary dance is covered by Chunky Move’s Antony Hamilton and Jason Winters (sponsored by ComDance). And you’re invited to grab a partner and feel the Latin rhythm with Dancing with the Stars favourite Jarryd Byrne. A little something extra will be brought to the program by Tiana Canterbury, who will bring her Afro Fusion style to really expand your repertoire.
Returning favourites include Paul Malek (contemporary); Arna Singleton (hip hop); Trish Squire (showgirl/guy); Todd Patrick, Nathan Pinnell, Amanda Stone and Sophie Holloway (jazz). The Joffrey Ballet School, New York will also return to VDF in 2023, with Artistic Associate Michael Waldrop teaching ballet and contemporary masterclasses.
In an exciting Australian exclusive, dancers can participate in a Rambert Grades syllabus taster class. The latest international contemporary dance syllabus, Rambert Grades launched in 2022, and is an inclusive, progressive program which centres on the individual dancer as an artist and encourages them to explore their creative intuition. Rambert Grades will also offer a Mini Mover class based on their brand new pre-school syllabus, Creative Dance for Early Years.
Centred on community, this growing dance festival is a positive space for the hungry dancer. Instructor Hëna Memishi has travelled the world sharing her grooves and says, “Dance is about connection, so it’s very special and important to unite, create community and celebrate our art form.”
Jam-packed across the weekend workshops led by top industry professionals like Memishi expose dancers to styles and ways of moving which broaden their horizons and expand their movement vocabulary. Dancers, you are encouraged to soak everything up like a sponge in a thrilling weekend of high energy and higher endorphins and then, at the end of the weekend, to squeeze out the excess and see how it has changed you as an artist. What new influences can be found in your daily dance practice? What new energy and inspiration have you found to develop your own unique style?
VDF returns this year to Melbourne Showgrounds, a venue it moved to in 2022, to accommodate its huge growth and expansion. With four separate streams, there is something for everyone, from Mini Movers aged three to seven with introductory classes in ballet, contemporary and acrobatic arts to Under 13s for intermediate classes. The intermediate/advanced dancers are catered for in the 14-and-over program, whilst there are huge opportunities for full time students and professionals with advanced classes, masterclass auditions, and auditions from four international creative studios offering a chance to study and work abroad.
Whilst the whole weekend is undoubtedly a celebration of dance and the dance community, culminating in the IGNITE performance where schools are given the platform to light up the stage together, there are also some serious opportunities available. Full time schools, major dancewear brands and leading industry organisations take up residence in the DanceMarket. Masterclasses and auditions are available with Joffrey Ballet School, New York, and Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Creative Studios are offering the chance to dance on the high seas with their cruise lines.
So, how can you as a dancer make the most of VDF? Musical theatre star Amy Campbell says, “Stay open and ready for anything, and know that whatever your experience is, you will walk away a better artist!”
Energetiks VDF 2023 will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 14 – 16 April. Find out more about VDF 2023 and purchase tickets here.
P.S VDF is not just for the dancers. Dance educators have their own special Teacher Day on Friday 14 April with special guest speakers, workshops and opportunities to network and explore a DanceMarket catering for them as education professionals. More on that can be found here.
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