Queensland Ballet Academy launches Season 2025: a celebration of dance, art, and music

WORDS: Meryn Cooper PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Queensland Ballet Academy is thrilled to announce tickets are now on sale for its 2025 season, a dynamic program of performances that showcase the artistry, technical skills, and dedication of its talented young dancers. With a focus on collaborations, innovation, and tradition, the season includes the highly anticipated Soirée, an annual fusion of visual art, dance, and live music presented in collaboration with Philip Bacon Galleries and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.

Now in its fourth year, Soirée will premiere new works inspired by the artwork of one of Australia’s most significant contemporary artists, Cressida Campbell AM. Renowned for her highly detailed woodblocks and unique woodblock prints depicting scenes of domestic interiors, Australian landscapes and still life, Campbell recognises the beauty of the everyday, capturing the transitory moments of life, instilling her work with a timeless quality and enduring appeal.

Celebrated choreographers Natalie Weir and Paul Boyd join the line-up this year, while audiences will also enjoy a selection of student choreographic works within the program. Performed at the Thomas Dixon Centre’s Talbot Theatre, and accompanied by live music by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, the season has become a highlight on the Brisbane arts calendar. Previous seasons have included collaborations with renowned artists such as Michael Zavros, Tim Storrier AM, and William Robinson AO, to audience and critical acclaim.

Dance and music lovers alike will also be delighted to experience the first performance in the season, Donizetti Variations, a collaboration between Queensland Ballet Academy and Queensland Youth Orchestras. In a celebration of the exquisite artforms of ballet and music, Queensland Youth Orchestras will perform a ballet-inspired program of music by composers Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky followed by Donizetti Variations, featuring Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program dancers.

Other highlights of the 2025 season include Demonstrations and Assessments showcasing classwork and repertoire, all open to the public.

Queensland Ballet Academy Director Christian Tàtchev said the season offers audiences an opportunity to witness the rising young stars of dance, while enjoying fresh and much-loved repertoire across classical ballet, contemporary dance, and historical dance.

“The 2025 season is a true celebration of the dedication, artistry, and versatility of our talented young dancers. From timeless classical works to bold contemporary creations, this dynamic program reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of dance artists while offering audiences an inspiring and diverse experience,” he said.

“We invite audiences of all ages to come along and enjoy the beauty of the artform at the Thomas Dixon Centre, home of Queensland Ballet, and Queensland Ballet Academy studios at Kelvin Grove, and to support these talented young artists.”

Of Soirée, he encouraged people to purchase tickets before the popular season sold out.

“Soirée is a unique and enriching collaboration that brings together Australian artists across dance, music, and visual art in a way that is truly immersive,” he said.

“This year, we are honoured to draw inspiration from the extraordinary work of Cressida Campbell AM, whose exquisite artistry will add a new depth to this highly anticipated event.”

Tickets for all productions are on sale now via queenslandballet.com.au/academy

Queensland Ballet Academy gratefully acknowledges Philip Bacon AO for his generous support of the unique artistic collaboration in Soirée.

 Our thanks also to Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, for enriching this stunning performance season with live music. 

Season 2025 highlights

Donizetti Variations 

7 June 2025 | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre

A celebration of the exquisite artforms of ballet and music. Hear Queensland Youth Orchestras QYO2 perform a ballet-inspired program of music by composers Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky followed by Donizetti Variations, featuring dancers from Queensland Ballet Academy.

Lower School Training Demonstration 

13 – 14 June 2025 | Academy Studio Theatre, Queensland Ballet Academy

Designed to share elements of the professional training offered at Queensland Ballet Academy, our Lower School Presentation will showcase classwork and repertoire excerpts in a special demonstration event open to the public.

Upper School Open Assessments

14 – 15 June 2025 | Academy Studio Theatre, Queensland Ballet Academy

See our Upper School students present their mid-year assessments on stage, demonstrating the breadth of their training that covers classical ballet, contemporary dance, partnering techniques, and character dance.

Soirée

6 – 8 November 2025 | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre

Experience a fusion of art, dance, and live music as Queensland Ballet Academy presents Soirée – a dazzling performance season presented in collaboration with Philip Bacon Galleries and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, featuring artwork by one of Australia’s most significant contemporary artists, Cressida Campbell AM.

End of Year Demonstration 

12 – 13 December 2025 | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre

Showcasing a year of dancer development through professional training and live performance, our Lower and Upper School students present classical repertoire and new choreographic excerpts on stage at the Thomas Dixon Centre.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.academy.queenslandballet.com.au/