Giving regional students a pirouette into the world of professional ballet, the Telstra Let's Dance program is set to inspire young dancers across more of country Australia in 2025.
Telstra, in partnership with The Australian Ballet, is significantly expanding its 'Let's Dance' initiative, designed to nurture a love of dance and make the arts more accessible for children in regional and coastal areas. Following a successful inaugural year, the program will visit seven new locations across New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria in 2025.
The 'Let's Dance' program offers young participants a unique and immersive ballet experience. Students in the selected regional centres will have the chance to attend studio sessions led by distinguished teachers from The Australian Ballet, gain special access with backstage visits, observe professional dancers during rehearsals, and enjoy a captivating performance by the company at their local theatre. Each student will also receive a dance pack to support their burgeoning passion.
This expansion underscores a shared commitment by Telstra and The Australian Ballet to break down geographical and cost barriers that often limit access to the arts for those outside major city centres. By bringing nationally acclaimed ballet artists directly to regional communities, the program provides invaluable opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities to experience the wonder of ballet first-hand and witness the daily life of a professional dancer.
The locations for the 2025 program include Mt Gambier in South Australia; Geelong and Warrnambool in Victoria; and Wollongong, Orange, Dubbo, and Tamworth in New South Wales.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration, one fortunate student from each participating school will be selected for a special trip to The Australian Ballet Centre in Melbourne. This prize offers a deeper dive into the world of professional ballet, including experiencing training, rehearsals, insights into wardrobe and physiotherapy, and attending a performance as part of The Australian Ballet's 2025 Melbourne season.
Alita McMenamin, Principal, Brand, Network and Sponsorship for Telstra, highlighted the program's core purpose: "Telstra and The Australian Ballet are equally passionate about the need to nurture creativity among young Australians and providing unique opportunities that inspire a love of ballet. While backstage workshops like this are traditionally offered in metro areas, we wanted to provide the same opportunities for kids in regional areas to experience artistic excellence. We hope this plants the seeds for ballet enthusiasts and helps to encourages kids to find joy in the arts from a young age."
David Hallberg, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the long-standing partnership's impact. "For over 40 years, Telstra has been an integral part of The Australian Ballet’s journey, helping us nurture generations of dancers and bring ballet to more Australians. Telstra Let’s Dance is a continuation of that shared commitment, giving young dancers in regional communities the chance to experience the artistry and discipline of ballet firsthand." Hallberg added that extending the program alongside their regional tours is especially meaningful for inspiring the next generation and deepening connections with audiences beyond capital cities.
The Telstra Let’s Dance outreach events in 2025 will take place concurrently with The Australian Ballet's regional tour, featuring performances of The Nutcracker Act II and other works from June 11 to July 5. This initiative marks another significant step in the four-decade-long partnership between Telstra and The Australian Ballet, which has consistently supported the development of young Australian dance talent and artistic excellence.