The Australian Ballet and Telstra have announced they will be sharing the wonder of ballet with hundreds of children across Australia this month. The Telstra Let’s Dance 2026 program will visit seven locations across New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, including many regional towns where access to artistic excellence is often limited for young dancers.
In its third year, Telstra Let’s Dance gives students the opportunity to learn from members of The Australian Ballet’s artistic team through studio workshops. Students will also go behind-the- scenes to observe company rehearsals and attend a performance of The Australian Ballet’s On Tour program. The young dancers will be also given a dance pack filled with new gear to further inspire the next generation of dance lovers.
For the 2026 program, Telstra Let’s Dance workshops will take place in Albury, Ballarat, Horsham, Mildura, Adelaide, Darwin and Alice Springs, visiting the Northern Territory for the first time. The outreach events will be held alongside The Australian Ballet as they take The Nutcracker Act II on the road with their 2026 On Tour program from July to August 2026.
Telstra Let’s Dance programs have been met with glowing praise by young dancers across Australia since they began in 2024. The students welcome the chance to learn from world class artists and the opportunity to go backstage and observe everyday life as a professional ballet dancer.
The program reflects The Australian Ballet and Telstra’s ongoing commitment to making the arts more accessible to all Australians, not just those based in metropolitan centres. By removing barriers such as cost and location, the partners hope to nurture a passion for the arts, support young dancers to reach their full potential and encourage creativity to thrive across Australia.
The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Hallberg said, “Every child should have the opportunity to experience the wonder of ballet, regardless of where they live. Through Telstra Let’s Dance, we’re able to bring young people in regional communities behind the scenes, into the studio and into the theatre, offering experiences that can spark creativity, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the arts. It’s a privilege to continue to share ballet with communities across Australia.”
Alita McMenamin, Head of Marketing Communications, Brand & Sponsorship, said, “Telstra and The Australian Ballet are equally passionate about the need to support creativity among young Australians and provide unique opportunities just for kids in country areas. While backstage workshops with world class artists are traditionally offered in metro areas, we wanted to provide the same opportunities for kids in regional areas to deepen their connection to the arts. Who knows, perhaps Telstra Let’s Dance will nurture future stars of The Australian Ballet who will one day take centre stage themselves!”
Telstra Let’s Dance is the latest step in a four-decade long partnership between Telstra and The Australian Ballet. Thanks to this creative alignment, Telstra has helped ballet careers to thrive across generations of dancers and continues to nurture a connection to the arts across Australia.
2026 Telstra Let’s Dance Events Across Regional Australia:
Telstra Let’s Dance, presented by The Australian Ballet, will host outreach events in the following locations across the country. Media are invited to attend interviews, photos, and filming. Please RSVP ahead of the day to confirm your attendance.
Albury: 22 July at 4pm (Le Beat Dance Academy)
Ballarat: 24 July at 4pm (Dance School of Distinction)
Horsham: 29 July at 4pm (Avenue Dance Studio)
Mildura: 31 July at 4pm (Ebz Dance)
Adelaide: 5 August at 4pm (Star Academy)
Adelaide: 7 August at 4pm (Turning Point Dance)
Darwin: 13 August at 4pm (Darwin School of Ballet)
Darwin: 14 August at 4pm (Leisa’s School of Dance)
Alice Springs: 20 August at 4pm (The Australian Dance Academy)
Alice Springs: 21 August at 4pm (Studio B School of Dance)
Share this:
