NAISDA Dance College, Australia’s national arts training organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, invites aspiring dancers and performing artists from around Australia to apply for its 2023 intake.
NAISDA’s Head of Dance, Deon Hastie, commented on this unique opportunity for young people aged 16 and over with a passion and interest in the performing arts.
“Training at NAISDA gives students the opportunity to learn from some of the best trainers and choreographers from around the world, develop skills and prepare for a professional career in the arts.
“Our graduates have been at the forefront of Australia’s performing arts industry for 46 years and are actively sought by many of Australia’s national dance and performing arts organisations,” Deon said.
From its campus on Darkinjung Land on the New South Wales Central Coast, NAISDA delivers full time, nationally accredited courses which include units in Cultural Dance, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet, Choreography, Physical Theatre, Music Production and Dancefilm. In addition to the focus on developing technical skills and knowledge, the NAISDA curriculum includes a unique Cultural Residency Program, along with live performance and production experience in professional theatres and training secondments with national arts companies.
“Cultural learning and knowledge are at the forefront of NAISDA training,” Deon continued.
“We work in partnership with our Cultural Tutors and Elders to provide students the opportunity to connect with culture through programs like our Cultural Residencies which see students visit and learn with remote communities across Australia.”
The NAISDA application and audition process starts with a simple online form which will take applicants approximately ten minutes to complete. Successful applicants will then be invited to attend an onsite audition at the NAISDA campus with funding from ABSTUDY available to eligible auditionees to help cover expenses.
After two years of online auditions to keep everyone safe during the pandemic, NAISDA CEO Kim Walker said he is pleased to be able to host onsite auditions once again.
“Each year, young people from across Australia travel to the Central Coast to take part in our Auditions and each year we are blown away by their talent.
“Auditions are a great opportunity, not only for us to get to know auditionees better, but also for potential students to explore campus, meet our trainers and get a sense of what life at NAISDA is like.
“NAISDA is a place of creativity, culture, passion and possibility and at no other time is that sense of possibility more alive than when our next generation of cultural and creative leaders gather on campus,” he concluded.
NAISDA’s training is subsidised by the NSW Government for eligible students and through the Federal Government. To apply, eligible applicants should visit www.naisda.com.au/apply and submit their application before 22 August 2022.
For enquiries please contact NAISDA on (toll free) on 1800 117 116 or email auditions@naisda.com.au