By Rebecca Martin.

Australian dancer Stephanie Williams has gone from strength to strength since leaving The Australian Ballet in 2011 and joining Het Nationale Ballet in Amsterdam for six months before settling into her new home of New York where she is one of American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) newest recruits.

Since commencing her ballet training at the age of 8 with the Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy in Newcastle, Stephanie has been a dancer to watch.  Moving to Melbourne as a teenager to train at The Australian Ballet School, she received the Gold Medal at the 10th Asian Pacific International Ballet Competition in Tokyo, graduated at the top of her class, and performed the dual role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.  In 2007, Stephanie joined The Australian Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member before being promoted to Coryphee the following year.  While with The Australian Ballet, Stephanie performed many Soloist and Principal roles and was a guest artist with Christopher Wheeldon’s Morphoses, again performing Principal roles.  2009 saw Stephanie work with choreographer Wayne McGregor on his new piece Dyad 1929, and become the youngest ever winner of The Australian Telstra Ballet Dancer of the Year Award and People’s Choice Award.

In the lead up to the world premiere of Ratmansky’s Firebird in California, Stephanie found time to speak with Dance Informa about life since leaving Australia…

You’ve done quite a bit of travelling lately, having gone from The Australian Ballet to Het Nationale Ballet in Europe, and now with American Ballet Theatre in New York. How are you managing so far away from friends and family?

The past year has been a whirlwind of travel, exploration and life change. At times it’s been wonderful and exciting and at other times scary and daunting, but all part of an incredible journey that has given me a fresh perspective on life and dance. The beautiful people that have come into my life have had a huge impact on me and they have helped me with the major changes that come with moving to the other side of the world. I have to say I am extraordinarily fortunate to have the most beautiful, supportive family whose love and belief in me has never wavered, even when I’ve felt lost at times. And although I miss them terribly, I am in an extremely positive, motivating, passionate and inspiring environment every day at ABT. This fills me with a sense of happiness and allows me artistic fulfillment, of which I couldn’t have ever imagined and appreciate so much. And thank goodness for Skype!!

Stephanie Williams of American Ballet Theatre. Photo James Hooper

Any interesting cultural differences you’ve come across?

New York is incredible in that I feel like it’s so open to different styles and foods and that’s why it’s so exciting because there is always something new and interesting to try and seek out. I’m not a good sleeper so the fact that I live in ‘The city that never sleeps’ works perfectly for me!
Amsterdam is like no other place, with canals and bikes everywhere you look. I used to love seeing an entire family on a bicycle – the mum riding with the two kids on the front, baby in arms, perhaps an umbrella and mobile phone in hand and some groceries hanging off the handle for good measure. All executed without a care in the world! And then parked amongst another hundred bicycles so the street looks like a twisted metal junkyard! What a truly amazing sight and the epitome of Amsterdam.

Do you notice differences in European and American dancers compared with Australians?

There are definitely differences in dancers from Europe and America compared to Australia and I think a lot of it comes down to training and cultural differences. But what I think is amazing about dance is that it is universal. All around the world there are inspiring artists expressing themselves through movement and to me I feel that it is such a special, beautiful way to share one’s emotions. No matter your training, background or where you’re from, each individual has his or her own unique way of expressing that through dance. That is incredible.

Did you have trouble securing a Visa to work in the US?

I was actually very lucky with securing my Visa. ABT helped by petitioning on my behalf and they required a lot of paperwork from my time dancing with Het Nationale Ballet, Australian Ballet and Morphoses The Wheeldon Company, so my mum was an absolute hero and compiled everything and sent it to ABT. Once my petition was approved I secured my Visa. It has a name which I love. Apparently I am an “Alien with Extraordinary Talents”! I then just had to go to the US Consulate in Amsterdam, but was very lucky with how smoothly it all came together.

Is living in New York and dancing in one of the world’s best companies a dream come true?

I have to admit I do pinch myself most days. I have found a happiness and an appreciation for what I am fortunate enough to do every day. Living in New York is incredible. It is a city to get totally lost in, to explore and to dream. American Ballet Theatre is a very special organisation and to be a part of it is very humbling and inspiring. But over the course of the last 15 months I have grown up a lot (as stereotypical as that sounds). I have found such beauty in people, places, dance and life and to be able to recognise and appreciate it. That, to me, is the dream I have journeyed to.

What shows do you have coming up with ABT?

At the moment I am in Costa Mesa preparing for our triple bill which consists of Merce Cunninghams’ Duets, Christopher Wheeldons’ 13 Diversions and the world premiere of Ratmanskys’ new Firebird. I will be dancing in 13 Diversions and Firebird which I am really excited about! Being involved in the creation of Firebird has been incredible and inspiring each and every day. Working with Ratmansky and seeing this ballet come together has been amazing and I’m so excited about the premiere this week!

Will Australian audiences see you on stage at home in the future?

I really hope I can come and dance in Australia sooner rather than later, so I will definitely be looking at how to make that happen.

Top photo: Stephanie Williams dances in La Bayadère with American Ballet Theatre. Photo Gene Schiavone.

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – everything dance in Australia – dance news, dance auditions & dance events.

By Deborah Searle.

After ten very successful years at the Australian Ballet, principal dancer Danielle Rowe has packed her bags and taken up the barre at Houston Ballet. A much loved performer, Danielle will be greatly missed in Australia, along with her partner Luke Ingham who has also joined the company. Both popular members of the Australian Ballet company for many years, Danielle and Luke are excited to take their talent to Texas.

Upon arriving in Houston, Dance Informa’s Deborah Searle chatted with Danielle about the transition and her plans for the future.

“It’s been a bit of whirlwind, but it’s going well and I’m settling in”, Danielle shared. “I’ve joined the company as Soloist, which is the equivalent of a Senior Artist in Australia. I’ve already had a day of rehearsal and it feels like I’ve been here forever because everyone’s so friendly and welcoming. I’ve had a good start”, she said excitedly.

Danielle takes class at Houston Ballet. Photo Jim Caldwell

Audiences in Houston can look forward to some stunning performances by Danielle who won a prestigious Helpmann Award last year for Best Female Dancer. With such an accomplished career in Australia, Danielle was up for a new challenge. “I was at a stage in my career where I just felt like I needed a bit of a change. There wasn’t a dramatic reason for leaving, I just felt like I needed to work in a fresh environment and get out of my comfort zone”, she explained.

And out of her comfort zone she is, in the American southwest. After traveling to the States to guest perform Danielle responded to an urge to relocate. “Both Luke and I were drawn to America. We both were able to guest with Morphoses, so I spent a bit of time in the US. I began to really appreciate and enjoy the American style of dancing and the way that everyone works”. So Danielle and Luke contacted Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, Stanton Welch (an Australian born dancer with strong ties to the Australian Ballet), and the rest is history. But with opportunities all over the States, why did Danielle and Luke choose Houston Ballet? “We had heard really wonderful things about Houston Ballet. They have a great reputation as being a hard working and really versatile group of dancers”, Danielle shared.

The dancing pair is blessed to be able to join a company together. The fact that Houston Ballet offered positions for both dancers was another factor in their decision to join the company. “We wanted to move to a company that we could both work in. We know how hard it can be for couples to both get a job in a company they like. It’s really wonderful for both of us to have been given this opportunity and it’s great to have that support. Moving to a different country is a bit daunting, but we’ve got each other and that makes it easier”, Danielle revealed.

With rehearsals already in full swing for Houston Ballet’s Marie season in February and Sleeping Beauty in March, the pair are already busy, which is keeping Danielle happy. “I am looking forward to dancing as much as I possibly can”, she said. “There will hopefully be more opportunities for me to dance and perform on a more regular basis here. Houston Ballet rehearse all day (even the senior dancers), and they do a variety of different roles, as opposed to just doing principal roles. That was part of my reason for coming to Houston Ballet – the opportunity to work really, really hard and dance consistently”, she explained.

Danielle rehearsing in Houston. Photo Jim Caldwell

But what roles would Danielle still like to perform, as she has danced so many ballets over her career. “I’d love to do Onegin and to dance Giselle. I’d also like to do Odette/Odile in the traditional Swan Lake”, she said. But Danielle isn’t just interested in the classics. “I’d love to work with many different new and exciting choreographers. I really like the workshopping process and being challenged and inspired by new choreographers.”

Now that Danielle is in the States she is keen to explore the vast country and the many opportunities that it presents. “I’d like the opportunity to guest with some different companies around America, if I’m able to and if I have time to with the Houston Ballet schedule”, she disclosed.

But will she miss her home country and the Australian Ballet company? “I’ve never known any other company. I’ve grown up with the same group of dancers and danced with the same dancers, teachers, coaches and directors for ten years. I’m going to miss the comfort and security that I’ve developed with the Australian Ballet over the ten years, and also the three years that I had at the Australian Ballet School. I will miss the intimacy that I have with the Australian Ballet family”, she expressed with a sigh.

A little home sick but excited, Danielle and Luke have a wonderful future ahead in Houston and have some advice for other dancers thinking of making a move abroad. “It’s not as scary as you think”, Danielle laughed. “I think the scariest part about moving overseas is making the initial decision and committing to that decision. I certainly thought it was a huge event to uproot and move overseas, but it’s exciting more than scary.”

Good Luck Danielle and Luke. No doubt Houston audiences will adore you!

Danielle Rowe & Robert Curran perform Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain with the Australian Ballet. Photo David Kelly

Fun Facts

Favourite Role
The role that I hold closest to my heart is ‘Baroness von Rothbart’ from Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake. It’s a character that I’ve had the opportunity to perform over a long period of time so I’ve been able to develop it. Each time I perform it it’s different and special and the ballet is wonderful. It’s a very fulfilling character to play.

Favourite Ballet
I really loved performing Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain. The final pas de deux it’s so beautiful in its simplicity and the music is heaven. It’s really special. I think that’s been one of my most special times on stage.

Pointe Shoe Padding
I am a bit weird -  I don’t actually wear anything! I don’t recommend it because you end up with horrible looking feet. As I was growing up I was advised to not wear anything in my pointe shoes, and being an impressionable student I did that and worked through the pain. Now I have really calloused and ugly feet. For the long term I’d recommend a bit of padding for younger dancers so they are able to wear sandals and not have people stare at their feet!

Touring Must Haves
Massage Ball – I have a massage ball that is my life saver. It gets out any niggly little pains.
Thera-Band - I think you can do so many exercise with just this one piece of equipment. It’s easy, you can role it up and it doesn’t weigh very much. It always helps to get me ready for class.

Studio Snack
I usually have a banana in between rehearsals to give me energy. I don’t really like them, but I eat them because I know how good they are for me!

Favourite Tutu
My favourite tutu would be the Ballet Imperial tutu. It’s a really hard ballet but the tutu has elegance. The tutu’s so regal that it makes the ballet feel a little easier. I got promoted to Principal when I was doing that role. It was just a really wonderful time and I have fun memories of that costume.

Hobbies
I love trawling through vintage stores, antiques stores and book shops and seeing what treasures I can find. I love going to the movies and reading. I love chilling out and having a cup of tea whilst listening to records.

See Danielle Rowe perform with Houston Ballet in Marie this February.

Houston Ballet – Marie
Inspired by the life of Marie Antoinette
February 24- March 6
Brown Theater, Wortham Theater Center, Houston
www.houstonballet.org

Top photo: James Braund