Redlands Dance Academy 2024 Dance Awards

The past year has been one of outstanding achievements for Redlands Dance Academy. In addition to excelling at local eisteddfods, students have competed in high-calibre competitions such as the Australian Contemporary Open, the Australian Classical Challenge, and the prestigious Asian Grand Prix. Their experiences ranged from performing at the ANZAC Village Aged Care Facility to participating in the “Light the Way” dance event. As the year draws to a close, students are preparing for their third RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) exam session, alongside ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) jazz assessments and the Academy’s inaugural Rambert Grades for contemporary dance.

One of the academy’s proudest achievements came from two students, Summer and Imogen, who completed their RAD Advanced 2—a gruelling challenge that requires both technical mastery and extraordinary perseverance.

The event also marked the final Redlands dance performance for Year 12 students. Gilly Revie, Head of Ballet and Dance, spoke with heartfelt emotion as she addressed the Year 12 cohort on stage:

“This will be the last time you perform for us as Redlands Dancers. However, it doesn’t mean that your lives as dancers need to be over. Today, I want to give you some inspiration to keep dance within your lives in some capacity.”

Her words set the stage for an emotional send-off as the Year 12s performed their HSC and IB Dance solos, followed by a breathtaking performance from the Senior Ballet group. This same group had recently came 1st place in the Sydney Performing Art Competition Experience and performed as finalist in the Schools very own Gala Arts.
As the morning progressed, awards were handed out to students across all year groups, recognising excellence, leadership, and dedication. Gilly highlighted the importance of these awards by saying:

“Above all, talent comes with the responsibility to be humble. Commitment, kindness, and humility are attributes we encourage in all students.”

One of the evening’s most touching moments came when Gilly shared the story of a student who had faced a frustrating injury. Despite being unable to follow the “normal” exam pathway, the flexibility of RDA’s training program allowed them to focus on repertoire, leading to a full recovery and a stunning performance. It was a testament to the school’s dedication to meeting the needs of each individual student.
When alumni India Patten and Ariana Beeson took the stage for the Q&A, the audience was captivated by the diverse and inspiring paths they had taken after leaving Redlands.

India Patten, who began her journey as a boarder at Redlands, went on to study acting and spent 12 years in the U.S. working in film, TV, and theatre. Her résumé includes appearances in major shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Interstellar. Now, back in Sydney and on the verge of graduating with a degree in speech pathology, India reflected on how her dance background played a crucial role in her career:

“Dance gave me music, movement, and expression. It was the foundation for everything I do now. Whether acting or studying speech pathology, it all stems from that ability to communicate with an audience.”

Ariane Beeston, now a registered psychologist and author, shared her own, more personal journey. After being told she didn’t fit the mould to be a ballerina due to her height and physique, Ariana turned away from ballet at 18. She studied psychology and found a career at the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) but later returned to ballet during a challenging period of her life:

“Ballet brought me back to life. At 35, I put on my pointe shoes again and passed an advanced foundation exam alongside teenagers. It reminded me that ballet, or any art, can be a lifelong passion.”

Ariane now teaches ballet to both adults and children and has recently published a memoir, Because I Am Not Myself, while working on a young adult novel about three full-time ballet students.

Their stories emphasised the many directions a dancer’s life can take, even beyond the stage. Both women encouraged the students to keep an open mind and heart as they move forward, whether they pursue professional careers in dance or apply the discipline and creativity they’ve learned to other fields.

The festivities culminated in a vibrant performance by the Senior Jazz group, comprising Years 10 to 12 students who recently attended Sydney Eisteddfod’s Dance of the Champions after winning the school’s competition group earlier in the year.

Their dynamic, technically excellent routine was choreographed by Sophie Holloway, who is currently touring with Burn the Floor. The audience was left mesmerised by the energy and precision of the performance.

One of the event’s standout moments was a special performance by Sydney Dance Company’s PPY students, invited by Gilly to inspire Redlands dancers by showing them what lies ahead if they continue to pursue their passion for dance.

Amber Kusano, a student who had excelled throughout the year, was singled out for her growth and dedication. Gilly praised Amber’s progress, revealing that she was the inspiration behind asking Sydney Dance Company to send PPY students to showcase their work:

“Amber’s journey shows that dance doesn’t have to end with school. There are endless possibilities, and I wanted all of you to see that firsthand.”

The Redlands Dance Academy Dance Awards were a powerful reminder of how much the art of dance can shape lives. Whether through local competitions, national stages, or even personal challenges, dance offers a unique language of expression that stays with students long after they leave the academy. As alumni like India and Ariane demonstrated, the lessons learned in the dance studio—discipline, creativity, resilience—become the foundation for success in many walks of life.

For the current students, this event wasn’t just about receiving awards or performing one last time as Redlands dancers. It was a celebration of community, of passion, and of the endless possibilities that await them beyond the studio walls.

As Gilly said: ”Dance will always be there for you. In whatever capacity you need it, it will guide you, ground you, and inspire you for the rest of your lives.”