Welcome to Ballet Teachers' Workshop (Vic) Inc.

Entries for this year's Ballet Teachers' Workshop Scholarships are now open.  Application forms can be downloaded from the bottom of this page and will also be sent to registered teachers by mail.

We are excited to announce the appointment of David McAllister AM as the new patron of the Ballet Teachers' Workshop.  We can not think of a more worthy person to take on the role which had been so admirably performed by Paul Hammond OAM for so many years.

We are also pleased to announce a significant increase in prize monies across all sections this year (details below).  In particular, the Frances Naylor Award (for the overall winner of the Paul Hammond and Mabel Pryde scholarship sections) has been increased to $2,000.

Auditions 2012

The auditions for this year’s scholarships are again going to be held at the new Victorian College of the Arts studios on Sunday, 27 May 2012. This year there will be an additional warm up room, an extra registration desk and 6 additional BTW volunteers to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible.  

Classes for section AA will be held on Saturday, 26 May 2012 (late afternoon) so as to reduce the number of people in the building on the day of the auditions.

Finals 2012

The finals for this year's Ballet Teachers' Workshop Scholarships are scheduled to be held on Sunday, 19 August 2012 at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.

The adjudicators will be announced shortly.

About the Ballet Teachers' Workshop Scholarships

Since 1971, the BTW has held annual scholarship awards for all students aged between 6 years and over 16 years who are studying a recognised classical ballet syllabus.  In 2011, there were over 500 participants in the auditions representing over 25 schools from Melbourne, regional Victoria, NSW, Qld and the ACT.  Approximately 110 students were then chosen to perform a classical variation at the finals held at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.  Scholarships totalling $7,550 were awarded on the day.

The BTW scholarships are adjudicated by pre-eminent figures in the Australian dance scene, such as Colin Peasley, Barbara Nimmo, Adam Bull and Amber Scott.  Audition classes are held at the Victorian College of the Arts and are taught by professional teachers such as Steven Heathcote, Hilary Debden and Brian Nolan.  Past winners of BTW scholarships regularly progress to enjoy successful professional careers both in Australia and overseas.

Age Groups and Prizes - 2012

Section AA:  ages 6 & 7.  This section is an introductory section only.  Participants are not required to appear in the finals performance.  Prizes comprise gift certificates awarded in the audition class.

Section A: boys and girls aged 8 & 9 (First Prize $450, Second Prize $300, Third Prize $200 and Fourth Prize $100)

Section B: boys and girls aged 10 & 11 (First Prize $550, Second Prize $300, Third Prize $200 and Fourth Prize $100)

Section C: boys and girls aged 12 & 13 (First Prize $650, Second Prize $400, Third Prize $250 and Fourth Prize $150)

Section D: boys and girls aged 13 & 14 (First Prize $750, Second Prize $400, Third Prize $250 and Fourth Prize $150)

Section E (Mabel Pryde): girls aged 16 & over (First Prize $1,200, Second Prize $550 and Third Prize $300)

Section F (Paul Hammond):  boys aged 16 & over (First Prize $1,200, Second Prize $550 and Third Prize $300)

Frances Naylor Award:  $2,000 scholarship awarded to the overall winner of Sections E & F