After an extensive national and international search, with more than 65 applications for the position, the West Australian Ballet has announced that Belgian dancer/ ballet master/ director, Aurelien Scannella, has been appointed the company’s new artistic director. He will take over in January, 2013, from Ivan Cavallari, who was recently appointed the director of the Ballet de l?Opera National du Rhin.
Scannella trained at the Royal Ballet School of Flanders, and was subsequently accepted into the Royal Ballet of Flanders. After four years in Flanders he was appointed as a soloist at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Germany, and then gained principal dancer positions with the State Theatre Wiesbaden, Deutsche Oper Berlin (both Germany) and Ballett Basel in Switzerland.
Since 2008 he has been a freelance international ballet master and rehearsal director, working with companies such as Ballet Preljocaj, Scapino Ballet, National Ballet of Portugal, Dutch National Ballet, Ballet d’ Europe, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Bordeaux Opera Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, National Ballet of Estonia and National Ballet of Prague.
His repertoire includes all of the major classical ballets, as well as extensive experience in more contemporary styles gained at Ballet Basel.
He will come to Perth with his wife (who is also a dancer) and young son.
WAB Chair John Langoulant, says of the appointment: “Aurelien was a clear choice from the beginning of our search. He brings with him a wealth of experience and networks, and was considered the best ‘fit’ to take the helm of WAB after six years of exciting development for the company under Ivan Cavallari. He takes this position at an enviable time in the company’s history, with a larger troupe of dancers and a prestigious new ballet centre. He relishes the opportunity to take the reins from Ivan and lead the company into the next chapter of its development.”