Destination Perth
THE VIENNA INTERNATIONAL BALLET EXPERIENCE - VIBE
the world’s first competition for dancers with and without disabilities. It is an auspicious occasion on which to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding among its participating candidates and the audience. The Vienna International Ballet Experience is open to dance students and professionals with and without disabilities, which include physical disabilities, as well as dancers with special educational needs and serves the purpose of education, inclusion and promoting the arts.
Team
Gregor
Hatala
PRESIDENT
Gregor Hatala
Born in Vienna, Gregor Hatala grew up in the world of ballet.
His father, Milan Hatala, himself a soloist dancer with various companies and ballet master of the Vienna State Opera for almost 30 years, became his major teacher, while his mother, Christine Hatala, directs the families' own private ballet school.
In 1990 Gregor Hatala became the youngest member of the Vienna State Opera Ballet and was promoted soloist in 1996 and principal in 2000.
The 1994/95 season he danced as a soloist with Boston Ballet (director B. Marks) and was a permanent principal artist with the Hungarian and Slovakian National Theatres from 1999 to 2004.
From 2003 to 2008 Gregor Hatala was the organiser of the „Gala di Danza“ within the „Festival dei Due Mondi“ in Spoleto, Italy, and personal consultant to Mr. Francis Menotti.
In 2009 he became chairman of the „Association Vienna State Opera Ballet“ for which he choreographs and organises ballet performances & company tours.
From 2011 to 2017 Gregor Hatala was President of the Austrian Dance Council and organized the "Ballet Days" festival in Vienna for 4 years.
In 2013 he became pedagoge at the Konservatorium Wien Privatuniversität and in 2014 guest Balletmaster at the Slovakian National Theatre.
In December 2014 Gregor Hatala, after 25 years of professional dancing, gave his farewell performance at the Vienna State Opera as prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's "Mayerling".
In 2015 Gregor Hatala founded VIBE- the Vienna International Ballet Experience, an international dance competition which had its premiere in 2016 in the USA and Austria.
In 2017 VIBE found its continuation in the USA and Austria and was hosted in South Korea for the first time.
In 2018 Gregor Hatala was awarded the “Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst 1.Klasse“ by the president of the Republic of Austria.
Gregor Hatala has choreographed for the Vienna Volksopera („Der Vetter aus Dingsda“, „ Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor“), the Spoleto Festival, the Istanbul Music Festival („Firebird“), as well as the „Midsummernights Concert 2011 & 2012“ of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Valery Gergiev & Gustavo Dudamel respectively.
For many years he has been a guest teacher in various companies and ballet academies and jury member in dance competitions around the world.
Mayor roles as a dancer include Albrecht and Hilarion in Elena Tschernischovas „Giselle“, Solor in Vladimir Malakhovs „Die Bajadere“, Prince Siegfried in Rudolf Nurejews „Swan Lake“, Prince Florimund and Blue Bird in Peter Wrights „Sleeping Beauty“, Jean de Brienne in Rudolf Nurejews „Raymonda“, Colas in Frederick Ashtons „La Fille mal gardée“, Franz in „Coppélia“ by Gyula Harangozó sen., Inspector in Maurice Béjarts „Le Concours“, Prince in Juri Grigorowitsch's „The nutcracker“ , Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt in John Crankos „Romeo and Julia“, Des Grieux in Kenneth MacMillans „Manon“, Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillans „Mayerling“, Orlando in John Neumeiers „Wie es Euch gefällt“, Prince in Gyula Harangozó's „ Nutcracker“, Prince Alexej in Renato Zanella's „Nutcracker“, Gustav III. in Vladimir Malakhov's „Verdi-Ballett: Ein Maskenball“, Fürst Gremin in John Cranko's „Onegin“, Camille de Rosillon in Ronald Hynds „The Merry Widow“, Gustav in Renato Zanellas „Cinderella“ Lysander in John Neumeier's „A Midsummernightsdream“, Karenin in Boris Eifman's „Anna Karenina“, Escamillo in Davide Bombanas „Carmen“, Antonio Salieri in Renato Zanella's „Wolfgang Amadé“, Polichinello in Josef Hassreiter's „Die Puppenfee“, Spartacus in Laszlo Seregi's "Spartacus", Crassus in Renato Zanella's "Spartacus", John in Lorca Massine's "Zorbas", as well as mayor roles in Ben van Cauwenbergh's „Tanzhommage an Queen“, George Balanchine's „Apollo“, „Die vier Temperamente“, „Serenade“, „La Valse“, „Thema und Variationen“, „Tschaikowski-Pas de deux“ und „Rubies“, Kenneth MacMillan's „Das Lied von der Erde“, Hans van Manen's „Adagio Hammerklavier“ und „Große Fuge“, Renato Zanella's „La Chambre“ und Ben van Cauwenbergh's „Les Bourgeois“.
Beth
James
VIBE Managing Director Australia
Born in Fremantle, Western Australia, Beth fell in love with ballet at a young age.
After training and dancing with the WA Ballet Company, under the directorship of Robyn Haig then Garth Welch, Beth commenced her teaching career, travelling to regional and remote areas of WA.
In 1990, Beth took over the directorship of her former ballet school, which then became The Conservatoire, nurturing, training and coaching pre-professional students for the next 27 years. Many of her students have become professional dancers, teachers and performing artists throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America, England and Europe. After closing the school in 2017, Beth continues to coach selective students, allowing her to spend time on her other passions, including designing and creating children’s clothes together with restoring vintage and antique children’s keepsakes. Beth also enjoys sitting down with her husband of 30 years to finally eat dinner together!
Elena
McIver
Music Director
Elena McIver studied piano from 1984 under Tatiana Paschenko at the Ukrainian Music Academy.
From the age of seven Elena started to compose her own compositions winning Regional, State, and National competitions. Elena’s talent as a pianist and composer
was applauded with guest performances at concerts and televised events. Elena went onto win a string of prestigious competitions until the age of nineteen. Her success included two times winner as the “Young Composer” of the National Ukrainian Competition of Composers and the National Piano Competition “Young Virtuoso”.
Elena graduated with an Honours Diploma in 1998 as a Pianist, Teacher of Piano, Concert Master Ensemble, Composer, and Actor.
Elena worked as a school music teacher and lecturer of music theory and history, and as an accompanist for the Ukrainian Theatre of Musical Comedy and Drama. She excelled in teaching with her students going on to winning national competitions. Elena continued her education at Moscow Modern University (2002-2005) and the Ukrainian National University of Internal Affairs (2005-2006) as a Psychologist.
She also studied for 7 years Ballroom, Latin dance and art.
In 2006 Elena immigrated to Australia. From 2006, she has been playing for RAD, Cecchetti ballet programs, and accompanies WAAPA students. During 2007-2013 Elena worked for the Graduate College of Dance as an accompanist and lecturer of music theory. She now works as an accompanist for the WAAPA, WA Conservatoire of Classical Ballet, Pevnev Ballet Academy and the WA Ballet Company.
JURY, WORKSHOPS & MASTER CLASSES
The jury, consisting of internationally recognized dance masters, directors and choreographers who are invited by the Organizing Committee, is in charge of the selection and evaluation system of the competition and the workshops.
Competitors will be judged by their technical skills and, most important of all, artistry!
The scoring will be based on a 60 point system.
An average of 40 points is required for a third place, an average of 47 points for a second and an average of 54 points for a first place.
Solo and Pas de Deux/ Duo will be judged together.
In addition the following prizes will be offered:
- Best Future Talent
- Best Choreography
- Junior Outstanding Performance Grand Prix
- Special Outstanding Performance Grand Prix
- Senior Outstanding Performance Grand Prix
Prize winners and pieces specially chosen by the jury by their unique merit will perform at the final gala performance.
The VIBE jury reserves the right not to present all of the announced awards or to share prizes between participants.
The Jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Please be aware that VIBE does NOT hand out individual scores or jury sheets to the participants.
The WORKSHOPS are considered a major part of the Vienna International Ballet Experience and are open to competing and non-competing participants. They offer the young artists the possibility to be seen and work with jury members and guest teachers, learn from each other and meet performers from all around the world regardless of their origin or abilities.
Aurélien Scannella
Artistic Director
West Australian Ballet
© Frances Andrijich
Aurélien Scannella was born in Mons, Belgium. He completed his training at the prestigious Royal Ballet School of Flanders and was subsequently accepted into the Royal Ballet of Flanders. After three years in Flanders he was appointed as a Soloist, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and then gained Principal Dancer positions with the State Theatre Wiesbaden, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Ballett Basel.
His repertoire includes all of the major classical ballets, as well as extensive experience in contemporary styles by working with choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Angelin Preljocaj, William Forsythe, Hans van Manen, Maurice Bejart, Ray Barra, Valery Panov, Mauro Bigonzzetti, Nacho Duato, Heinz Spoerli, Richard Wherlock, Uwe Scholz, Patrick Delcroix, Violette Verdy, Ib Andersen, Mario Schroder, Paolo Bortoluzzi, Tomasz Kajdanski, including several Balanchine’s works.
During his dance career Aurélien participated in a number of international galas and festivals around the world. During two years he took part in the “World Ballet Stars Festival” in Kiev where he presented the duo from William Forsythe’s acclaimed In the middle somewhat elevated with the French star dancer & wife, Sandy Delasalle. This was the first time the duo was presented in the Ukraine, which was received as revolutionary by the press and the media.
During his entire career, Aurelien participated in a number of benefit galas for AIDS and cancer, performing various roles such as Le Corsaire, Gopak Variation, Swan Lake, Giselle and Don Quichotte pas de deux.
During two years Aurelien was also a member of the Berlin based “Gregor Seyffert & Company” and participated in the European tour of Juan Carlos Garciaʼs Light in Shadows.
In 2008 he decided to retire from his dancing career to focus on teaching. Quickly, Aurelien became one of the most sought after Ballet Masters on the market.
Since then he has worked as a guest ballet master for 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 Ballet du Rhin.
He has also taught master classes in Brussels, Paris, Rotterdam, Cannes and Tokyo.
Aurélien became Artistic Director of West Australian Ballet in 2013, quickly bringing a high technical standard to the Company and introducing new international choreographers such as David Dawson, Edward Clug, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Youri Vamos, David Nixon, Eric Gauthier, Patrick Delcroix, Claude Brumachon and Krzysztof Pastor.
Since 2013, Aurélien has rapidly grown the number of dancers within the Company, with a total of nine nationalities represented within the troupe as of September 2018. And has added a large amount of core repertoire including new productions of Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, La Fille ma gardee, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, Coppelia, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby and Dracula.
Patricia Barker
Artistic Director
Royal New Zealand Ballet
© Stephen A’Court
Patricia Barker was appointed as the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Artistic Director in June 2017. Under her leadership, alongside a vibrant artistic programme of heritage repertoire, contemporary classics and new commissions, the RNZB has continued to expand its work with young dancers and dance educators, including its Official School, the New Zealand School of Dance.
Patricia was born in Richland, Washington, USA, where she received her early ballet training. She later studied on scholarship at Boston Ballet School and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. At age 17, she joined Pacific Northwest Ballet and quickly rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. During her 27 year career, she performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and North America in many of the great full-length classical ballets and contemporary works by renowned choreographers. She frequently appeared as a guest artist and performed in many galas throughout the world.
In 2010, Patricia became Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and Director of the Grand Rapids Ballet School. She curated a compelling and dynamic repertoire and oversaw an outreach programme serving public school students, as well as dance and movement opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s Disease and Down Syndrome.
She has adjudicated faculty, is a frequent guest teacher and lecturer, and judges at competitions, most notably at Youth America Grand Prix.
Lisa Edwards
Former Senior Soloist Queensland Ballet
Ballet Mistress
Lisa began training at the age of 5 at The Dance Academy in her hometown of Dubbo, NSW. She graduated from the Australian Ballet School in 1999 and pursued work in Europe. During her 4 years in Europe Lisa danced with the Stadttheater St. Gallen in Switzerland, Anhaltishches Theater Dessau and Stadttheater Koblenz in Germany and toured throughout Europe, to Cuba and Croatia.
Whilst in Germany Lisa auditioned for Queensland Ballet and moved back to Australia to join the company under the Direction of Francois Klaus in 2004 Lisa was promoted to Soloist in 2013 in QB’s first season under the direction of Li Cunxin and Senior Soloist in 2016.
Lisa has played an active part in teaching for Queensland Ballet’s Education programs including Adopt a Dancer workshops, Audition Experience Days and Queensland Ballet Academy auditions. Lisa retired from QB at the end of 2018 after an 18 year career, 14 of those with QB and is now the head of the level 4 Classical Program for the Queensland Ballet Academy.
She has received Dancer to watch in Dance Australia’s Critic Survey 2014 and 2016.
Was the Face of It’s Live campaign for Queensland Tourism.
Received Artist of the Year at The Dream Festival in 2016.
Received her Diploma in Pilates Movement Therapy in 2017.
Assisted in the staging of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Closing Ceremony 2018.
Repertoire highlights include the roles of :
Giselle and Queen of the Willis in Giselle
Cinderella, Fairy Godmother and Summer Fairy
The Sylph and Lead Sylph in La Sylphide
Fairies of Beauty, Grace and Wisdom in Sleeping Beauty
Big Swans and Czardas Princess in Swan Lake
Gamzatti and 3rd Shade in La Bayadere
Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy and Arabian Pas de Deux in the Nutcracker.
Since retirement Lisa has also been working as a freelance Guest Teacher, Coach and Pilates and Body Conditioning throughout Australia and NZ. Worked with Queensland Ballet as Ballet Mistress / Rehearsal Assistant for the regional tour and Brisbane season of “Little Green Road to Fairyland”.
Lisa has been involved with Dance Masters International Summer and Winter Series 2019 and was on the adjudication panel the first ever DMI Passion Awards held in Auckland and has now been appointed their Patron.
Brooke Jacobs
Former Principal Dancer,
Access Coordinator - West Australian Ballet
Born in Narrogin WA, Brooke began her training at the West Australian Conservatoire of Classical Ballet in Perth before moving to Melbourne to train at the Christine Walsh Dance Centre and The Australian Ballet School. After graduating from The ABS in 2001, Brooke worked with the English National Ballet, Leipziger Ballett, Royal Ballet of Flanders and Zuricher Ballet where she was promoted to Soloist in 2008. Brooke joined West Australian Ballet in 2010 and was promoted to Principal dancer in 2013. In 2019, after eight years with West Australian Ballet, Brooke retired from the stage and has taken on a new role with West Australian Ballet as Access Coordinator.
Her career highlights include dancing the Lilac Fairy in Marcia Haydee’s The Sleeping Beauty, William Forsythe’s In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, Juliet in Edward Clugs’ Radio & Juliet, Itzik Galilis’ Mono Lisa,Sylphide in August Bournonville’s La Sylphide and the role of Giselle re-staged by Aurelien Scannella and Sandy Delasalle.
Brooke has also performed the role of Cinderella in Jayne Smeulders’ Cinderella, Beauty in David Nixons’ Beauty and the Beast, Mercedes and Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote restaged by Lucette Aldous, and Jordan in David Nixons’ The Great Gatsby. Brooke has also danced principal roles in works such as Craig Davidsons’ Ambiguous Content, as well as The Clearest Light, For Nanna, and Ghost Gum choreographed by Christopher Hill.
Brooke was nominated several times in The Australian Dance Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Artist. In 2016 she was shortlisted for her performance as Cinderella in Jayne Smeulders’ Cinderella. Brooke has also represented West Australian Ballet in several national and international events.
Within her new role as a member of the Access team at West Australian Ballet, Brooke works to deliver a multitude of educational programs and opportunities for Community and School groups, allowing her to contribute to the future of arts and dance in WA, particularly for children and young people with limited access to the arts.
Scholarships 2019
Scholarships coming soon
Rules
- All dance students and professionals with or without disabilities, are eligible to compete in the competition and / or participate in the workshops.
- Participants may enter the competition as a Solo, Duo / Pas de Deux or Group (3 dancers and more) in the Open (A), Ballet (B), Contemporary (C), Dance Special (D), Para Dance (E) and Character / National Dance / Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and Maori Dance (F) category.
- Participants will compete in the following age categories:
- Mini: up to age 9
- Children: 9 - 12
- Junior I: 12 - 15
- Junior II: 15 - 19
- Senior: 19 plus
The age category is determined by the dancer’s age at the first day of the competition.
PERFORMANCE:
- Participants are expected to perform at least ONE variation, Duo / Pas de Deux or Group piece, but are eligible to perform as many pieces as they want.
DANCE STYLES:
Classical/ Neoclassical Ballet: any choreography based on classical ballet technique
Contemporary: diverse techniques allowed except classical ballet technique.
Open Category: any style of dance is allowed except for Classical/ Neoclassical Ballet, Contemporary and Character/ National Dances.
Dance Special: all dance styles for dancers with special educational needs allowed
Para Dance: all dance styles for dancers with physical disabilities allowed
Character/ National Dance/ Indigenous and Maori Dance: all traditional folk dances are allowed. (A ballet character- dance would NOT apply to this category!)
It is of high importance that the choreography is suited to the contestant’s age and capability!
You may submit or perform any variations or repertory fulfilling VIBE’s terms of rule but you must reserve all rights to the choreography for your performance!
MUSIC:
All Solos /Duos may not exceed 3:00 min.
All Group pieces may not exceed 5:00 min.
Classical Ballet Pas de Deux as dictated by the established choreography and music.
Choreography without music will be counted as part of the choreography's duration. The registering person shall give notice to VIBE about this when the music is sent.
With regards to the duration of the music, a maximum of 10 seconds will be tolerated, beyond the time limit, but only to allow for the musical phrase to finish.
The use of music with improper language is not permitted.
FEES and REGISTRATION
Registration Fee:
Minis / Children / Para Dance / Dance Special: AUD $20
Junior I / Junior II / Senior: AUD $50
Performance Fee:
Minis / Children / Para Dance / Special Dance SOLO / DUO: AUD $30 per piece, per person.
Minis / Children / Para Dance / Special Dance GROUP: AUD $23 per piece, per person.
Junior I / Junior II / Senior SOLO / DUO: AUD $60 per piece, per person.
Junior I / Junior II / Senior GROUP: AUD $35 per piece, per person.
The fee is all inclusive for one competition entry and all the workshops during the competition for Junior I, II and Senior participants.
Minis and Children wishing to participate in the workshops: + AUD $50.
Non-disabled dancers assisting/ performing with competitors in the DANCE SPECIAL and/or PARA DANCE category as non-competing partners, participate free of charge and do not have to fill out the registration form.
Please note this in the field "comments".
In case of withdrawal from the competition a processing fee of 30% of the registration fee will be charged. In case of withdrawal 2 weeks prior to the competition the registration fee is non-refundable.
VIBE has the right to refuse any application at its discretion.
Each modification request of your original registration will involve a processing fee of AUD $20 per piece.
MORE INFORMATION:
- The age category is determined by the dancer’s age at the first day of the competition.
- For participants of the Duo / Pas de Deux and Group categories, the average age of the dancers will determine the age category.
- The use of props is subject to previous approval by VIBE, during the registration process. Props that cannot be carried on stage by the dancers themselves are not allowed, as well as props/costumes that identify the competing school.
- The registration fees do not contain insurance for the participants. VIBE assumes no liability for the dancers' participation during the competition. The organization declines any responsibility for accidents that may occur during the competition and/or for the theft or loss of personal property.
- VIBE reserves the right to use any photo or video recording of participants’ performances during the competition for promotional / commercial purposes. - Participants and their parents and/or legal guardians give VIBE their explicit permission to use any such photo/video recordings (including those containing their name or likeness) for VIBE's promotional purposes (including any uses in print, online or in social media).
- A registration, once accepted and valid, may be cancelled at any time by the organizer with immediate effects, whenever a competitor, members of a school or supporters show the lack of respect and mistreat any member of the organization, the jury or a fellow competitor.
- Registration can also be cancelled by the organization in cases where competitors, members of schools and supporters, do not uphold the rules and regulations of the competition.
- The cancellation of a registration will be communicated verbally or by email to the participant or teacher responsible for the competitor/school and is not subject to complaint or contest. The participation fee will not be refunded nor will any costs and expenses be paid or compensated. Registration in the competition automatically implies acceptance of the present rules and regulations.
WORKSHOPS:
For non-competing "Workshop only" participants a detailed workshop schedule will be available prior to VIBE and an online registration will be open. The fee for "Workshop only" participants is AUD $30 per class.
Registration Form
The Registration is closed now.
Agenda
VIBE competition and workshop location:
Curtin Theatre
90 Ellen
St Fremantle
Workshops
For non-competing "Workshop only" participants a detailed workshop schedule is available below. The fee for "Workshop only" participants is AUD $30 per class.
For competing participants, the fee is all inclusive for one competition entry and all the workshops during the competition for Junior I, II and Senior participants. For the Children’s Level, participants wishing to participate in the workshops, please add an extra AUD $50 to your payment. (Please note that this fee covers all three Workshops)
Friday
09:00 - 10:30. Junior 1 Ballet
10:45 - 12:15. Junior 2 Ballet
12:30 - 02:00. Senior Ballet
02:15 - 03:15. Children Ballet
03:30 - 05:00. Junior 1 Contemporary
Saturday
09:00 - 10:30. Junior 1 Ballet
10:45 - 12:15. Junior 2 Ballet
12:30 - 02:00. Senior Ballet
02:15 - 03:15. Children Ballet
03:30 - 05:00. Junior 2 Contemporary
Sunday
09:00 - 10:30. Junior 1 Ballet
10:45 - 12:15. Junior 2 Ballet
12:30 - 02:00. Senior Ballet
02:15 - 03:15. Children Ballet
03:30 - 05:00. Senior Contemporary
