| "The
performance last night was absolutely wonderful and went extremely
well. I enjoyed every single moment of it. I think you and the whole
ACB should be deeply congratulated! It was a wonderful night!"
Dame Margaret Scott DBE AC, Founder Director
The Australian Ballet School 2005
"Thank you and congratulations
for Romeo & Juliet on Sunday. It was a great production and
such wonderful setting at the Town Hall! I don't think I've ever
heard it played so well by such huge orchestra! Congratulations!"
David McAllister AM, Director -The Australian Ballet
2005
"Once again, I would like
to express how much I enjoyed your production. As usual, so well
rehearsed, beautifully choreographed and costumed - it really was
like a professional production. And it was wonderful to hear the
orchestra - I thought they did an absolutely splendid job, and the
sound was very full and quite overwhelming. Ifll admit there was
a tear in my eye at the end. Congratulations to everyone!"
Karen van Ulzen, Editor - Dance Australia 2005
"Wefve received some news
from Marina and Martin about their performance on the gpremiereh
of Romeo & Juliet. Itfs amazing how we feel proud of them. It
seems that our gsavoir faireh is engaged. Itfs like a particular
challenge for us."
Ralph Bigo, Administrator - Paris Opera Ballet School
2005
"I am ringing to say how wonderful
the performance of Romeo & Juliet last Saturday night. I was
absolutely knocked out... it was stunning and I was totally captivated
the whole night."
David Ashton-Smith, Director - David Ashton-Smith
Choir 2005
"On behalf of the Chairman
of Melbourne Youth Music, Mr Bruce Worland AM, & the members
of Melbourne Youth Music, please accept my congratulations on the
success of Romeo & Juliet. It seems our collaboration continues
to be an artistic success & the opportunities being offered
to our young dancers & musicians is quite unique.
The overall production of the ballet
was once again, terrific. There were many highlights:
- the direction & choreography of the crowd scenes
- the sword fights
- the passion & drama so convincingly conveyed by the young
principals
- the strength of the supporting roles
just to name a few.
Thank you once again
for the opportunity to collaborate with you in this venture. Do
enjoy the acclaim you both so rightly deserve."
Jan Constable, Administrator - Melbourne Youth Orchestra
2005
"We enjoyed the performance
very much and thought the production had many worthwhile additions,
especially the bringing together of both families at the end. Costuming
was first rate as well. We really appreciate the mammoth effort
it takes to mount such an event. Well done. Thank you for the entertainment
and congratulations."
Fiona Tonkin (and Christopher Goldsworthy),
Ballet Mistress Australian Ballet 2005
"Very sincere congratulations
on a truly magnificent evening last Wednesday. The sheer size of
the endeavour is quite visibly overwhelming, and the number of 'players'
to make this a success is obviously enormous! But how wonderful
it was! Your dancers in particular, especially in the smaller groups
of 4, were so together! Each movement seemed so technically disciplined
and effortlessly executed (you can see I have now become a ballet
critic!) And the leads too were quite magnificent - what a buzz
for your students to be an active part of something as wonderful
as this. So, please take all the accolades you are offered as you
so obviously deserve them."
KenCharles 2004
"What a triumph! You must
be very proud of your dancers
orchestra, crew, (naturally!) and yourselves. Lucy and I thoroughly
enjoyed all aspects of the performance. I felt a connection in some
small way to your success by my involvement in those earlier productions
where you strived so hard for professional production standards
To play to such a full and appreciative
Hamer Hall house must have been a very great experience for everyone
concerned. My heartiest congratulations to you all."
Rob Hall 2004
I'm writing to congratulate you once again on a wonderful performance.
(I meant to write earlier, but have been away sick.) The whole production
was very professional, and you managed to incorporate the younger
pupils very well too. It must have been tricky working on that stage,
but the entrances and exits were smooth and barely noticable. I
particularly liked the smallest of the two pas de trois girls -
she's very talented! It was also great to see so many boys on stage.
I enjoyed the youth orchestra,
which did an excellent job. It is always wonderful to see so many
young people all so committed to producing something beautiful.
And, of course, it was your production that enabled them to do that
and will hopefully inspire them for many years to come. I'm sorry
I couldn't attend your party, but hope to be able to visit your
new studios in the New Year. Once again, congratulations!"
Karen van Ulzen - Editor, Dance Australia
"What a stunning performance last night!! Linda and I had an
absolutely wonderful time. Many thanks for your hospitality."
Regards, Kel (General Manager, Australian Philharmonic
Orchestra)
"Congratulations on a wonderful performance by your students
and guests. Production and costumes were first-class and the students
were beautifully rehearsed and presented. I'm sure you are both
very proud of them all as well as your staff. It was the first year
I have been able to come for so long and I really enjoyed it. The
Melbourne Youth Orchestra is something to be proud of as well and
Peter Bandy is to be congratulated. The music was top class."
Josie Woodgate, The Australian Ballet 2004
"It was a wonderful night
and it was fantastic to see all the dance students performing. I
look forward to continuing to work with you both next year."
Fran Mullins Fitzroy High School 2004
"Just wanted to say what
a wonderful performance of Swan Lake on Wednesday evening. We were
mesmerised and especially chuffed to see our beautiful students
doing such a great job as I'm sure you were. Well Done to all, you
must be very proud."
Helen Mutkins, Fitzroy High School 2004
"Thank you very much for last night's performance! All your
students did a fantastic job. They all look very professional, wonderful
production."
Ron Fung, Sansha General Manager 2004
"On behalf of the Executive Director, Mr Bruce Worland AM,
& the members of Melbourne Youth Music, please accept my congratulations
for the wonderful performance you & Christine presented in Hamer
Hall last night. Melbourne Youth Music was proud to be associated
with the event & the inclusion of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra
makes this a unique activity in Melbourne."
"Can I just say what a pleasure it was to be there last night.
Was truly a great performance and I sincerely hope that you may
keep me on your mailing list. Again, sincere thank you for yesterday
evening."
Gintaras 2004
"Your production of Swan Lake was so beautifully and professionally
presented. I am continually inspired by the incredibly high standard
you expect and attain from your students."
Linda McKay -Director, Essentially Ballet 2004
"How bloody brilliant you are! I love you to theatrical distraction!"
Lewis Fiander 2004
"What a wonderful evening it was. Congratulations to you all.
The production was delightful, disciplined and professional."
Rev. Anne Wentzel, St. Paulfs Cathedral 2004
"I would like to say how rewarding it is to teach using your
training program, The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet. I have
had very positive feedback from parents and students who all see
and feel the benefits in their training. Thank you for your willingness
to share your knowledge with the broader community. This is a refreshing
and welcome change in the dance industry."
Linda McKay - Director, Essentially Ballet 2003
"This is just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the performance
on Saturday night. Congratulations - it was absolutely marvellous!
I was really impressed by how professional the production was, from
the sets and costumes to the way every child kept in character all
the way through, including their exits into the wings. I also thoroughly
enjoyed the traditional choreography - it was a welcome reminder
of how good the original was! Herr Drosselmeyer was terrific - his
character really holds the story together and he related beautifully
to the children."
Karen van Ulzen, 2003 Editor of Dance Australia
"I thoroughly enjoyed the performance on Saturday night, particularly
the wonderful sets and costumes and I thought Kana looked exquisite
and danced beautifully. She has lovely limbs. Her arms seem quite
long and she used them so gracefully. I feel sure she has a good
future ahead of her and I will look out for her name in the future.
"
Barbara Langley, Australian Ballet 2003
"My 5-year-old niece loved it, my 82-year-old mother loved
it and I loved it, so you scored a hat trick! I was so very impressed
with the standard and professionalism of the dancing and the discipline
of everyone on stage down to the smallest child. And the production
was first-class not to mention Herr Drosselmeyer who wizarded away
as to the manner born. Congratulations to you both and to everyone
involved. I have an inkling as to the work involved and can only
say it was a credit to you."
Sandy Graham, Media & Marketing,
Australian Philharmonic Orchestra 2003
"No one in the theatre would - have known of your problems
with costumes because they all looked so exquisite and you put on
the most outstanding performance. It is amazing that you teach so
much to so many people, organize the great sets and design and prepare
such a range of fabulous costumes. We were so impressed and thrilled
by the standard of the dancing, the obvious enjoyment of all your
students and the way your choreography represent to story so that
everyone understands the story and is moved by the beauty of dancing.
Congratulations on all you are doing!"
Gael McRae, ballet enthusiast 2003
"Thank you, thank you for a wonderful afternoon - the performance
was stunning. I (and my friends) had a really lovely time enjoying
the fruits of your labour. Young bodies finely tuned or in the process
of, but all showing discipline and exuberance that made the Nutcracker
story every bit of what it should be. We did enjoy it. Equally,
I enjoyed the first work too, which set the scene for appreciating
technique of the dancers. You have made them into very beautiful
bodies. So thank you both enormously for the great pleasure we had
as a result of so much work by you both, others and of course, the
students, whose day it is. Congratulations!"
Anne Wentzel,Precenter
St Paul's Cathedral 2003
"The quality of the ballet, in every respect, was marvellous
and you deserve the warmest congratulations for the standard you
have set for schools performances. It was a delightful evening."
Ian McRae - Former Administrator, The Australian Ballet
1995
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