About the BTW
Recognising the dedication of teachers and students of classical ballet
Founded in 1972, the Ballet Teachers' Workshop seeks to bring teachers and students of classical ballet together to celebrate their dedication to and love of the art form. Each year, students from over 70 Australian dance schools participate in the audition classes, with 110 students chosen to perform at the finals at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre. The BTW awards scholarships to students aged 7 and over, totalling almost $30,000.00, to further their development and love of classical ballet. The scholarships are adjudicated by pre-eminent figures in the Australian dance scene and honour those who came before, paying tribute to Paul Hammond, Mabel Pryde and Frances Naylor, among others.
Our Patron
David McAllister AC
The BTW is thrilled to have David McAllister AC, former Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet Company and former Principal Artist of The Australian Ballet as our patron and supporter.
A graduate of the Australian Ballet School, Perth-born David McAllister joined The Australian Ballet in 1983. He was promoted to Senior Artist in 1986 and to Principal Artist in January 1989.
In 1985, David won a Bronze Medal at the Fifth International Ballet Competition in Moscow, which saw him invited to return to the USSR as a guest artist where he made numerous appearances with the Bloshoi Ballet, the Kirov Ballet, the Georgian State Ballet and other companies. David has performed as a guest artist with The National Ballet of Canada, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Singapore Dance Theatre. In London, 1992, he took part in the Royal Gala performance of Coppelia in the presence of the Princess of Wales.
In 2004, David was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia and was The Australian Ballet's longest-serving Artistic Director. David is an active contributor to the Australian dance community and has worked as a guest teacher with The Australian Ballet School, The Dancers Company, the Royal Academy of Dancing, the Cecchetti Society.
The BTW is grateful for David's ongoing support and patronage, not only of the BTW Scholarship Awards, but of Australian classical dance.
Photo: James Braund
