Lisa Pavane is a former Principal Artist with The Australian Ballet and English National Ballet, whose international career included performances with leading companies such as the Kirov Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Munich Staatsoper. After retiring from the stage in 1999, she transitioned into teaching and leadership, culminating in her role as Director of The Australian Ballet School from 2015 to 2024. A Churchill Fellow and graduate in elite ballet instruction and professional education, Lisa remains active in the dance world as a guest teacher, adjudicator, international advisor and Board Member of The Sydney Eisteddfod.
"I was born at 28 weeks, and my mother said I would survive and become a dancer! Looking back, I’m so grateful for the beautiful life I’ve had as a dancer and dance educator, so I’ve put together this playlist to share some of my favourite full-length ballets — works I’ve danced in or commissioned during my career.
For me, dance and music are deeply connected. From the very first note to the final bow, music breathes life into every movement. We don’t just dance to music; we dance within it. It’s more than choreography. It’s emotion in motion — a way to express what words can’t.
This playlist includes some of my most beloved classical dance music, including a selection of grand pas from the classical repertoire, along with the final three entries — ballets I commissioned for The Australian Ballet School during my tenure as Director: Butterfly, Possum Magic – the ballet, and The Four Seasons, created for the School’s 60th anniversary in 2024.
These days, I enjoy a wide range of music and love attending musicals. I hope you enjoy this playlist, which is my way of sharing the love and connection I feel with music and dance, and a tribute to the music that has shaped my journey."
You can follow Lisa on Instagram here.
*Please remember that per Spotify's terms and conditions, these playlists are intended for personal listening enjoyment only.