What an exciting, exhausting, fun-filled week that was!

Friday night was both the Opening Night of The Nutcracker and the announcement of the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award and Telstra People’s Choice Award.

The Nutcracker is the perfect Christmas ballet, being extraordinarily magical with the stunning sets, costumes and dancing, so I was really looking forward to performing this ballet. The opening show was wonderful and as the curtain calls were being taken it was also time for the Telstra Award winners to be announced.

It was a year ago that I nervously awaited the announcement and when I heard my name being called out for both Telstra Ballet Dancer Award and Telstra People’s Choice Award I was overwhelmed and absolutely humbled by the whole experience. It was time to pass on the baton and I was to present the winners with their trophies after they were announced.

The Telstra People’s Choice Award was announced first and the winner was Amy Harris! I was so excited and ran over to her with her trophy and a big hug and kiss!

Then it was on to the announcement of the Telstra Ballet Dancer of the Year. This year, for the first time in the Award’s history, it was shared between Ty King-Wall and Dana Stephensen! The excitement and buzz was incredible and I couldn’t get the smile off my face! All three were such deserving winners and I felt really happy to hand over the title to these beautiful people!

Then it was time to celebrate and fun was definitely had by all. But there was no rest for the wicked with two shows the next day!

A big eight show performance week of The Nutcracker is coming up as the year continues to fly by. It’s time to enjoy the performances with the end-of-the-year near!

Steph

I have one more performance of ‘Edge of Night’ on Monday and then it’s all about ‘The Nutcracker’!  Technical runs and Dress rehearsals a plenty before the opening night on Friday the 3rd of December. This is the final Opening Night for The Australian Ballet his year and it’s time for me to hand over my reign as Telstra Ballet Dancer Award winner. The award will be announced after the performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ – onstage!

I still remember the shock and excitement I experienced this time last year when it was announced that I won both the Telstra People’s Choice Award and the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award.  I look forward to being a part of the excitement this year.

Fun, exciting times ahead!

Steph

Opening Night of ‘Edge of Night’ at the Sydney Opera House came around very quickly and was a lot of fun!

In the Sydney groove now, enjoying my favourite cafes and my Sydney performing routine. We do almost three weeks of performances for each season, which includes a show every night with matinee shows on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sunday is my only day off so I treasure the Sunday morning sleep in, as an 8 show week takes it out of me!  After this season of ‘Edge of Night’ it will be straight into ‘The Nutcracker’ – full steam ahead!

I’m loving the Sydney sunshine and performing at the Sydney Opera House. It’s always nice walking up the Quay to ‘work’!

Until next time….

Steph

What a great night it was. With the support of Telstra, The Australian Ballet held an outdoor performance at the Penrith Panthers stadium in Penrith, Sydney, last night.

With clouds looming and rain threatening the show it was touch and go for a while. I danced the Grand Pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty Act III, which is a really beautiful classical pas de deux that I love. I was really happy when the rain held off and we were able to dance at this very special and unique outdoor event.

I had an amazing time on the makeshift stage that was erected in the centre of the football stadium. I always find dancing outside very special because you can feel the breeze and you are right out there in the elements. It was pretty awesome!

Now it’s off to the Sydney Opera House tomorrow for more dancing and wonderful experiences!

Steph

It’s that time of year again, the Sydney season is upon us. I am heading to Sydney on Thursday and will be there until December 23. Starting with a free outdoor performance in Penrith (Sat 6 Nov, 7pm) where I will be dancing the grand pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty Act 3. I’m so looking forward to dancing this very classic role again.

Then it’s on to the Edge of Night triple bill and The Nutcracker. No rest for the wicked!

I’m savouring my last week in Melbourne for a while with a wonderful lunch to celebrate the Melbourne Cup. Perfect.

Almost time for another plane flight!

Steph

Our tour to Tokyo and Nagoya is finished. What a fun, exciting, tiring and eye-opening experience it has been! 

The last week was wonderful. I went to a traditional Japanese spa where I had an incredible full body massage. I have never felt so relaxed and my poor tired little body was in heaven. A quick trip to Nagoya for one final performance of ‘Swan Lake’. It was a great note to finish the tour on.

The journey home was a mammoth effort, including a bus, bullet train, bus, airport bus transfer, plane, another airport bus transfer, plane and then car trip to Melbourne city. So I was very relieved when I finally made it!

I loved dancing internationally and experiencing a different and beautiful culture, whilst enjoying the wonderful food and drink on offer. Japan is a beautifully intriguing country and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore it.
 
Now on to our Penrith, NSW, free outdoor performance in two weeks time (6 November) and our seasons in Sydney. Bring it on!

Opening Night of The Nutcracker! The audience loved it and our Snowflake scene felt amazing!

Tokyo is wonderful and we have two shows left before heading on the bullet train to Nagoya, for a one-show special before flying home. It’s all happening and I have been having an absolute blast.

I have even had a night filled with Karaoke which was such fun! Singing my heart out so much that I woke up with a croaky voice the next morning. Bit of Bon Jovi ‘Living on a Prayer’ and gotta love Kylie. Great times!

At the other end of the spectrum, I had a special afternoon in Harajuku as I went to the Meiji Shrine. It was so peaceful and I felt a real inner calm as I walked around such a beautiful place of love and respect. Very special indeed.

Alongside all this has been a lot of joyful dancing. I have photos coming so stay tuned!

I am loving Japan! Senses overload combined with a really beautiful culture; and we’re dancing on an amazing stage which makes for a great first week in Tokyo.

We had the opening of Swan Lake yesterday and the vibe was incredible. The audience loved it and I had such a great experience dancing on the world stage. A nice wine after the show was well earned!

From Ginza to Shibuya to Shinjuku, I have been walking up a storm checking out all the sights and sounds. Two more Swan Lake shows before a day off and then on to The Nutcracker.

I’m loving the sashimi and sake and I had an amazing traditional banquet last week so my taste buds are very very happy.

All in all having an amazing time. Kanpai!

Sayonara! I’m off to Japan tomorrow afternoon and I’m so excited!

We had a busy week of rehearsals last week to get us prepared and I am ready to enjoy the wonderful experience of dancing overseas and being exposed to a truly beautiful culture.

Melbourne has put on some fabulous weather this weekend so in between packing and getting myself organised some good vitamin D was had!

I managed to see the start of the World Championship Cycling Men’s Road Race this morning, which started at Federation Square. For a cycling fan I loved seeing these phenomenal international and homegrown athletes in my backyard.

Packing is almost done now and all that’s left is to get on the plane tomorrow. I envisage fun times ahead!

The countdown is on! I am leaving for the country of sushi and sake in a week; Japan here I come! I’m so excited now it’s coming up so quickly.
  
We closed ‘The Nutcracker’ in Melbourne on Saturday night so this week will be all about rehearsing and getting organised for the Company’s trip overseas. It’s also going to be nice to have nights off from performing to recharge the batteries. We will be rehearsing from 10.30am until 6.30pm though, so it’s still full steam ahead. Love it!
 
I love travelling. I’s a huge perk of the job to be able to learn and experience a new and different culture.

I say embrace the experience and enjoy! And that’s what I plan to do!