About Us
Melbourne Dance
Theatre was formed in May 2003. The company was birthed out of a
passion to create works that both captivate and challenge,
inspire and stimulate audiences. We seek to be at the forefront
of dance, creatively pushing the constrains of our art form,
however in this pursuit never compromising the essence what
dance is. Our desire is
to be seen, to endue audiences of all ages and across cultures,
presenting our works
for audiences in locally, regionally, nationally and
internationally.
While our dancers
are united a strong classical background, choreographically we
allude to a myriad of disciplines, drawing on the dancers great
versatility of skills. As we employ hints of acrobatics, prose
and voice to the indefinable gamete of dance forms, an entirely
unique form is fused. Thus we are not purely a dance company,
but a Dance Theatre, a collaboration of art forms and an
exciting union of skills.
Our Directors |
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Martin Sierra - MA.
Director, Choreographer and Teacher Melbourne Dance Theatre
Martin is a growing authority in Australia’s dance industry.
His pioneering choreographic brilliance embraces a blend of European artistry and Australian innovation.
Martin learned his craft, as both choreographer and instructor , from leading exponents of the Russian Vaganova method and received his own training at the world class State Ballet School of Berlin.
His corrections and technical mastery have resulted in the transformation of willing student dancers into highly proficient professionals. Martin’s unbridled creative talent is backed by a master of Arts in Dance Studies from the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance, London.
His majors were in Choreography, Visual Design and Choreological studies.
Apart from working alongside some of Europe’s leading dancers, including principal artists from leading dancers, including principal artists from the Royal Ballet, Martin has an impressive resume: Soloist Saarlandisches Staatstheater Saarbrucken, Germany; Soloist Komische Oper, Germany; Director, Martin Sierra Dance Company, Germany; Soloist, Compania Nacional de Danza, Mexico; Founder and Director, Melbourne Dance Theatre and MDT Performing Arts Courses.
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Michelle Cassar de Sierra Director of the Melbourne Dance Theatre Full Time School, and
Assistant Director Melbourne Dance Theatre, Choreographer and Teacher.
Michelle has a widely recognised gift for crafting choreography that infuses the most loved classical ballets
with a creative freshness and flair that accentuates the beauty of the original masterpiece, rather that detracting from it. This unique ability
to balance the tension between innovation and tradition has earned Michelle wide respect within Australia’s dance community.
Michelle’s passion for classical ballet was fuelled whilst on a dance study tour of Moscow in 1984 during which
she spent considerable time at the renowned Moiseyev School which specialises in character dance.
Her classical dance and teaching skills were subsequently honed at the highly regarded Victorian College of the Arts.
She was winner of the prestigious Pratt Scholarship in 1986.
Her progress was rapid under the tutelage of Anne Woolliams.
Michelle’s resume reflects an enviable breadth of experience:
Apprentice, Kolobok Dance Company; Member, National Ballet of Israel;
Soloist, Saarlandisches Staatsheater Saarbrucken; Guest Artist, Klagenfurt Opera House, Austria,
Principal Dancer, Martin Sierra Dance Company, Germany;
Co-founder Melbourne Dance Theatre; Principal, Melbourne Dance Theatre Performing Arts Courses; Co creator, International System of Character Dance, Private Coach in classical ballet preparation and training for competitions, productions and major school and company auditions both nationally and internationally.
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The Company
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Kathleen Skipp
After graduating from the Performing Arts School NZ in 1996, Kathleen moved to Melbourne, completing a Bachelor of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts in 2000. She spent five years performing with Anna Smith's Co.Motion company around Australia, in 2000 being nominated for 'Best Emerging Artist', and in 2002 being nominated for the Green Room Award of 'Best Female Performer'. Kathleen has also performed and choreographed independently for Fringe festivals, and for the Next Wave festival in 2004. Her latest work, a collaboration with Ben Leeks entitled "Frilly Knickers", was performed at the Melbourne Fringe in 2008 and as part of the Adelaide Fringe in 2009 and 2010. Kathleen has performed and choreographed for Melbourne Dance Theatre since 2003. |
Josh Mitchell
Josh has been working as a dancer, actor, and choreographer since graduating from both Deakin University, with a double degree in dance and drama, and RMIT, where he completed a postgraduate Diploma of Education in dance and drama. He has danced and collaborated with companies such as Satori Dance Company, Peppercorn Productions, and Undercurrent Dance Company. He is currently employed by the Victorian Arts Centre as a teaching artist, specialising in running circus and physical theatre workshops. Josh also runs his own physical theatre company, 'The Lost Rung', who have performed in both the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe festivals, and have recently completed a mentorship with Kage Physical Theatre. Josh joined MDT in 2008. |
Carmelo Mantarro
Carmelo spent his early years dancing at the Utassy Ballet School. He went on to study dance full time at the Victorian College of the Arts, completing a Bachelor of Dance in 2008. During this time, he worked with choreographers Neil Adams, Stephanie Lake, Anna Smith, Rebecca Hilton, Robert Ray, and Philip Adams. In 2007 he also performed at the Macau Fringe Festival with the VCA ensemble, while in 2008 Carmelo was chosen to perform Jonathon Taylor's neoclassical pas de deux "Sweet Sorrow" for the VCA's 30th Anniversary Season. He has performed with the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet's productions of "The Sleeping Beauty", "The Nutcracker", and "Romeo & Juliet" in 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively. In July 2011, Carmelo was the winner of the Geelong Dance Network's Australian Choreographic Competition for his piece "In Globe". Carmelo joined MDT in 2010.
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Melissa Wilson
Melissa graduated in 2009, completing VET Dance and VCE at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Her training has also included contemporary dance and classical ballet (Vaganova technique) at Sierra Dance Centrepointe, for which she achieved High Distinction in all external exams. Melissa's performance experience is vast; during her time at VCASS she worked with renowned choreographers Jonathan Taylor, Timothy Storey, Barbara Warren-Smith, Robert Ray, Maggie Lorraine, and Isobel Ryan, while she has also performed for many commercial gigs. Melissa joined MDT in 2010.
Adriano Mantarro
Adriano spent his early years dancing at the Utassy Ballet School. In 2007 Adriano completed VCE Dance and was chosen for Top Acts and Top Class. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts, graduating in 2009. During his time at the VCA, Adriano worked with the likes of Neil Adams, Stephanie Lake, Anna Smith, Rebecca Hilton, Carlee Mellow, Sue Healey, Philip Adams, and Antony Hamilton. He has performed with the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet's productions of "The Sleeping Beauty", "The Nutcracker", and "Romeo &Juliet" in 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively. Adriano joined MDT in 2010.
Dana Drage
Dana began her dance training in Perth at age five with the Terri Charlesworth School of Dance. In 2000, at the age of ten, she gained a place at the Graduate College of Dance. After graduating from the college with Honours, Dana was accepted into the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. During her time at the academy, Dana was awarded the RAD Linley Wilson Scholarship for her performance of Raymonda's wedding variation, and had the privilege of studying performing arts in New York through a student exchange to SUNY Purchase. She has performed in numerous works by choreographers such as Natalie Weir, Tim Harbour, Kevin Haigen, Paul Boyd, Alice Holland, and Kim McCarthy. Dana joined MDT in 2010 and she is also the rehearsal assistant of MDT.
Liam Roodhouse
Liam didn't formally begin learning the art of dance until the age of nine. His early training at the Nicole Brydon School of Dance and at the Deriaz Dance Academy gave him an excellent foundation in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and funk. He has competed in many competitions and has been rewarded with many accolades; the most recent of which was receiving a 'Highly Commended' at the Victorian wide ATOD scholarships and the 'Adjudicator's Award' at VPAC 2009. Since beginning with MDT in 2010, he has incorporated classical ballet in to his repertoire of dance.
Yuiko Masakawa
Yuiko started her training in both ballet and contemporary dance in Japan, while she has also trained in Canada and America. In 2006 she was accepted to compete in the Beijing International Ballet Competition and was one of only three Japanese dancers to participate. During her time in Canada, Yuiko was awarded a scholarship to train in America at the 2007 Boston Ballet Summer School. In 2008 she won second prize in the Pacific West Competition with her performance of the grand pas de deux from "Giselle", partnered by Takeaki Miura. In 2009, Yuiko moved to Perth to study at the West Australian Academy Of Performing Arts, where she performed as Clara in "The Nutcracker Suite - Clara's Dream", choreography by Kim McCarthy. Other works she performed in were "Proofsheet" (choreographed by Natalie Weir), "A Listening World" (choreographed by Tim Harbour), and as principal in "Landtemps" (choreographed by Andries Weidemann), before graduating in 2010. Yuiko joined MDT in 2011.
Christopher Ead
Christopher received a scholarship to attend the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and graduated in 2006. In the same year, he competed at the National Cecchetti Ballet Lucie Saranova Gold Medal competition and received an honourable mention. Christopher received tuition from Lucette Aldous and Margaret Illmann whilst studying at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Dance) in 2009. He has also been formally recognised as an associate of the Royal Academy of Dance. Christopher has performed with the West Australian Ballet in their production of "Romeo and Juliet" and with the Tasmanian Ballet for their 2010 production of "Nutcracker". He also performed the role of Oberon in "Midsummer Night's Dream" for the Ringwood Ballet Group in late 2010. Chris joined MDT in 2011.
Courtenay Ludbrook
Courtenay began dancing at age seven, taking ballet lessons from Brooke Desnoes (of the Académie Américaine de Danse de Paris) while living in Paris. She continued her dance training following the RAD ballet syllabus with Deirdre Tarrant in Wellington, NZ, (her home town) and later in Hong Kong with the Melissa Kong School of Ballet, achieving her RAD Advanced 2 with Merit in 2007. In Hong Kong she was also accepted in to the Gifted Young Dancers Program at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and performed with the Hong Kong Ballet Group in their 2006 production of Giselle. Most recently, Courtenay graduated with a Bachelor of Dance from the Victorian College of the Arts at the end of 2010, where she had performed in works by Neil Adams, Stephanie Lake, Rebecca Hilton, Wendy Houston, Anna Smith, and Helen Herbertson. Courtenay joined MDT in 2011.
Amy Barningham
Amy commenced her dance training in 1994, at both The Studio of Classical and Contemporary Dance,and at The Dardanup Dance Centre. At age 12 she toured with the WA Young Dancers Company, performing "Alice in Wonderland", and in 2005, won the 'Iluka Classical Award', entitling her to a week with the West Australian Ballet Company. In 2008, Amy was offered a position at The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, (WAAPA) where she completed her Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts. During her three year course, Amy travelled to Wellington, New Zealand, to work alongside the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company. In 2010, Amy was selected to perform in the corps de ballet for the West Australian Ballet's production of "The Sleeping Beauty". Amy has also taught and choreographed for several dance schools. Amy moved to Melbourne in 2011 to join MDT.
Liz Tori
Liz began her dance training at Sierra Dance Centrepointe, aged five, and has progressed through to full time training, undertaking Certificate IV in Dance at Melbourne Dance Theatre. During the course of her training, Liz has performed in a vast range of productions, techniques, and styles, including performing in MDT's production, "Short Stories", in December 2010, and touring with MDT to Adelaide to perform in "Heroes" as part of the 2011 Fringe Festival there. Liz was invited to join MDT2 in 2011.
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