Over the past few weeks students in dance and ballet have had the opportunity to attend classes with Robyn Begg and Jake McLarnon, ballet graduates from 2010 who are making a name for themselves in the dance industry.
Robyn took further training with the West Australian Conservatoire of Classical Ballet before heading to Queensland Ballet for her first professional contract. She has also performed with WA Ballet. Jake received the Western Australian Academy of Arts Dance Scholarship to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts completing a 3 year Advanced Diploma.
Robyn is now heading east to Victoria to perform a leading role with the Melbourne Ballet Theatre, at the same time taking a contract with Melbourne Ballet. Jake has received a full time contract with Australian Dance Theatre after completing the European tour with the company early this year.
These are excerpts from three students who had the opportunity to take classes with Robyn and Jake:
Having guest teachers in our classes who are past students from our school has been enlightening . It’s a good opportunity to see these former students and how they’ve grown in their careers and to hear of their achievements knowing that their origins are from where we are currently at. We have seen both the contemporary and ballet paths of dance that have been taken from the school to guide them into the great dancers and teachers that can pass on their experience. Kirsty Clarke – Year 11
Our classes with Robyn have broadened our knowledge of ballet and improved our technique in different areas. Watching her dance and doing her classes has given us an insight into the style and complexity of ballet in companies such as WA Ballet and the Queensland Ballet. It has demonstrated what we can expect if we pursue a career in ballet. To hear of her achievements and experiences, with the knowledge that she was once at our stage, encourages us to persevere knowing that we too can make it to that standard. The prospect of a future career in ballet has become so much more exciting. Isabella Neish – Year 11
It has been such a privilege to have the memorable experience of working with Jake these past few weeks. Having started off as a student at John Curtin, like all of us, and learning about his achievements and journey as a dancer has stimulated new inspiration and motivation for us all. We are all so fortunate to have been granted the opportunity to share Jake’s prestigious knowledge on dance and gain insight into our hopeful futures in the dancing industry. We have all benefited immensely from his unique style and approach to contemporary dance, broadening our knowledge as dancers and learning to adapt to diverse styles. It was his own quirky touches to every phrase that really made his classes exciting and original. Meg Ramshaw – Year 11