Steven Roth has been the chief executive of West Australian Ballet since 2007.
Where were you born?
In the Victorian town of Castlemaine, famous for Castlemaine rock (not the one you dig – this one you eat!). It also has a fabulous state festival, the first established in Victoria.
Were you involved in dance as a child?
I did one term of ballet at the local ballet school. But it wasn’t really my thing, so I started piano lessons and sung in the Anglican choir instead.
What did you study?
I first studied music teaching, then went on to study conducting at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) under Robert Rosen, an incredibly tough but inspiring professor.
How did you come to arts management?
I just morphed into it. I was conducting concerts, and then started to produce them.
What made you decide to apply for the chief executive position at West Australian Ballet (WAB)?
I had been five years at the VCA, firstly as sponsorship manager and then as manager of development and public affairs, and I got the taste for dance there. When I saw the WAB position advertised, it sounded like an adventure and an opportunity – it was both! ...
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