Queensland Ballet’s Community and Education
A professional Development Workshop
In 2024 three significant projects saw Queensland Ballet’s Community and Education team work alongside First Nations artists, educators and Custodians, creating opportunities together to foster cultural awareness and learning opportunities for Queensland teachers and students.
Katina Olsen leads participants through a professional development workshop.
Described by Queensland Ballet’s Education Manager Kath Cadd as “an incredible journey of collaboration, listening, learning and sharing”, 2024 has seen Queensland Ballet learn from and work with exceptional First Nations educators and artists to co-develop important workshops, lesson plans and resources. The mutual aim of these projects is to encourage understanding, and the creative exploration of First Nations stories, music and ways of learning.
In June this year Queensland Ballet worked with Dr. Beth Tailby (Kamilaroi woman and Languages teacher) and Uncle Max Dillon (Kombumerri Traditional Custodian) to create a series of workshops for school children based on Max’s Kombumerri Dreaming stories.
Aiming to foster empathy, cultural awareness and creative expression the workshops were piloted at Toogoolawah State School’s 2024 NAIDOC Week celebration and have since been delivered throughout regional Queensland to nearly 300 students.
The project was described by Dr. Tailby as a high point of 2024.
“The highlight for me (of 2024) has been working with Kath Cadd from Queensland Ballet and Kombumerri man Uncle Max Dillon on embedding First Nations perspectives into a very ‘White’ concept.
“Uncle Max kindly (after gaining permissions) shared stories from his Country on the Gold Coast which was in turn interpreted into movement for our young people. Kath was respectful and patient in understanding our ways of working, which meant we had the opportunity to produce an incredible, user-friendly series of lessons”.
The Kombumerri workshops sit alongside Queensland Ballet’s suite of In-School Education Programs and are delivered, with permission and guidance from Dr Tailby and Uncle Max, by the Company’s team of Teaching Artists. Students are guided through the Dreaming stories and movement tasks and engage with themes like community, cooperation, and cultural pride.
“The feedback from staff was really encouraging and we look forward to repeating this process next year”, said Dr Tailby.
2025 will also see Queensland Ballet implement a new In-School Workshop and Immersion Experience offering developed in collaboration with Australian Chamber Music Group Southern Cross Soloists. The initiative is aligned with the group’s Digeridoo Commissioning Project led by Wakka Wakka man and acclaimed Digeridoo player Chris Williams.
Piloted this year, the workshop explores the synergy between movement, digeridoo and chamber music, and will be co-delivered by Southern Cross Soloist musicians at Queensland Ballet’s Thomas Dixon Centre, giving students the opportunity to respond to live music and participate in movement and choreographic tasks in a professional dance studio environment.
A highlight of Queensland Ballet’s 2024 season was Wakka Wakka and Kombumerri choreographer Katina Olsen’s new work gundirgan, wise woman. Choreographed on the dancers of Queensland Ballet and guest artist Tara Robertson, the piece premiered in the company’s Bespoke season and was praised as a significant collaboration between First Nations dance and classical ballet.
As part of the creative process dancers visited Ban Ban Springs on Wakka Wakka Country to deepen their connection to First Nations culture and Country.
Company Artist Ines Hargraves says the experience was enriching and deeply moving.
“I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to experience such a special few days of togetherness and admiration for another culture”.
Keen to explore further collaboration opportunities with Katina, Queensland Ballet’s Community and Education Team invited her to lead a professional development session for secondary Dance teachers exploring her choreographic process and approach to cultural storytelling as a First Nations woman and contemporary dance artist.
The workshop, which was strongly aligned with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority Dance syllabus, was held in October and received excellent feedback. “Teachers left the day with their creative cups full, and new ideas and practical tools to implement in their classrooms.” said Kath Cadd.
Katina embraced the opportunity to host the workshop saying, “as artists we have a unique platform to voice stories and encourage new ways of thinking, so I believe the exchange of ideas and a constant willingness to learn are integral to the creation and appreciation of art”.
To learn more about Queensland Ballet’s Education program and suite of In-School Workshops please follow this link
