Gestion Move

09/10/2025

19/09/2025

"Ballet teaches you that when you fall, you must get up again and keep going."

Tamara Rojo

04/09/2025

Tribute to Garth Welch
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Garth Welch, a beloved and influential force in Australian dance whose artistry, vision, and generosity shaped generations of performers and audiences alike.

Born in Brisbane in 1936, Garth began his dance journey with Phyllis Danaher before launching a remarkable career that spanned continents and decades. From his early days with the Borovansky Ballet to becoming a founding principal of The Australian Ballet, Garth’s presence on stage was magnetic—his performances in classics and groundbreaking new works alike left an indelible mark on the artform.

As a choreographer, teacher, and artistic director, Garth’s influence extended far beyond the spotlight. He nurtured talent, pushed creative boundaries, and brought a uniquely Australian voice to ballet. His legacy includes not only the roles he created and the ballets he shaped, but also the countless dancers he mentored and inspired.

Garth married Australian Ballet Principal Ballerina Marilyn Jones, and their sons Stanton and Damien followed in their footsteps to celebrated careers in ballet.

Inducted into the Australian Dance Awards Hall of Fame in 2002, a fitting recognition of Garth's life devoted to dance. His artistry, elegance, and passion will continue to resonate in studios, theatres, and hearts across the country.

We honour Garth’s extraordinary contribution and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance.

Image credit: Image taken from Wikimedia Commons, from the State Library of New South Wales collection. 1962.

03/09/2025

02/09/2025

Vale Colin Peasley OAM (15/10/1934 - 02/09/2025)

Patron, Honorary Life Member, friend, colleague, committee member of Cecchetti Ballet Australia passed away early this morning after a few debilitating years. His humour, wisdom, kindness and generous spirit towards our organisation along with the entire dance world will be remembered with such fondness.

Condolences to his family, close friends and our ballet community.

We can see Colin debating, dancing and celebrating with Dame Peggy, Valrene and Athol. RIP

Anne Butler
Chair Cecchetti Ballet Australia & Cecchetti International Classical Ballet (CICB)

30/07/2025

A Legacy in the Room

Last week, our Pre-Professional dancers had the rare and powerful opportunity to train with Dianne Pokorny, a force in Australian dance and a name woven into the fabric of our artform. A former dancer with The Australian Ballet, Dianne brought to Scimm. not just her refined classical knowledge, but decades of experience shaping the next generation of artists.

Even more special: Dianne is the mother of our Director, Scott Pokorny. Her presence was both deeply personal and profoundly professional, a masterclass in legacy, technique, and love for the craft.

We’re endlessly grateful for her time, wisdom, and artistry.

28/07/2025

Forget the treadmill, if you want to beat depression, just dance. That’s the message from a landmark Australian study analyzing data from 218 trials and over 14,000 people. Researchers found that while any kind of exercise helps, dancing delivered the biggest and most consistent drop in depressive symptoms, outperforming walking, jogging, yoga, tai chi, strength training, and even standard medical treatments like antidepressants or talk therapy.

Why is dancing so powerful? Experts say it’s the perfect combination of movement, music, and emotional expression. Dancing engages the mind as much as the body, releases feel-good neurotransmitters, and often includes a social component, whether you’re sharing a dance floor or just moving at home. This unique blend helps break cycles of negative thinking, boosts mindfulness, and offers an emotional release few other activities can match.

The best part: you don’t have to be a professional or even leave your house to reap the rewards. Whether you dance alone in your living room or join a group class, this joyful movement is one of the most accessible and effective mental health tools science has uncovered. Next time you’re feeling low, turn up the music, your brain and body will thank you.
📚 Source: Noetel M, Sanders T, Gallardo-Gómez D, Taylor P, del Pozo Cruz B, van den Hoek D et al., BMJ 2024