Australian Ballet School No 5

The Australian Ballet School | August

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ABS Frances Chung with Level 8s in No.5

REVIEWS | RESULTS
published in print: November 2024 order now!

In August 2024, The Australian Ballet School’s Level 8 students embarked on an inspiring journey under the guidance of Frances Chung, principal dancer of the San Francisco Ballet. The students delved into the world of Danielle Rowe’s ballet ‘No. 5,’ a piece that combines classical and contemporary elements in a uniquely expressive way.

‘No. 5,’ choreographed by Danielle Rowe, first premiered in 2021 as part of KØBENHAVN DANSER. The piece, set to the evocative music of Camille Saint-Saëns, is a nine-minute exploration of movement, featuring five dancers in a ballet that blends technical precision with emotional depth. The original cast, including Frances Chung herself, brought the choreography to life with costumes by Emma Kingsbury and lighting by Brian Njie.

Rowe, reflecting on her work, explains: “My aim with ‘No. 5’ was to create something that allowed the dancers to express their individuality within a framework of structured choreography. The music of Saint-Saëns provided the perfect canvas for this exploration, and I wanted the dancers to feel liberated to bring their own personalities into the piece.”

Born in Shepparton, Australia, and a graduate of The Australian Ballet School, Danielle Rowe has crafted a career that spans continents and companies. Her works have been commissioned by San Francisco Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Royal New Zealand Ballet, among others. Known for her narrative style, Rowe has been described as a “choreographic storyteller” who uses intricate gestures and flowing movements to create emotionally resonant works.

On the impact of her choreographic style, Rowe notes, “I want my choreography to challenge dancers to go beyond the steps, to connect deeply with the material and bring something personal to their performances. It’s about finding that balance between technical excellence and emotional authenticity.”

Frances Chung, a Vancouver native who joined San Francisco Ballet in 2001 and rose to principal dancer in 2009, has long been recognised for her technical brilliance and expressive performances. Her recent coaching of the Level 8 students at The Australian Ballet School offered them a unique opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s finest.

Speaking about the importance of coaching emerging dancers, Chung remarked, “At this age, it’s crucial for students to start thinking like professionals. This is their moment to blossom and to bring something unique to their performances. Working with them on ‘No. 5’ was about more than just teaching steps; it was about helping them find their own voices as artists.”

Chung also discussed the piece’s significance for the students: ‘No. 5′ really focuses on the individual and what each dancer brings to the piece. Dani’s choreography is about the feeling you exude to the audience, not just the technical execution. This experience is about helping the students come out of their shells and reach the next level.”

Reflecting on the students’ progress, Chung added, “I’ve been incredibly pleased with every rehearsal. I can see how much the students have grown, and I couldn’t be happier with their progress. They’re already showing such readiness. At this point, I believe they could be prepared for a dress rehearsal, a tech run, or even performances. They’re truly on the right track.”

For students like Eliza Hickey and Molly Bell, the experience of working with Frances Chung on ‘No. 5’ has been transformative. Eliza, who began training at The Australian Ballet School at age 14, shares her thoughts: “Working with Frances has been amazing. She’s actually performed ‘NO 5’ and has so much experience. She encouraged us to bring our own personalities into the piece. It’s been an incredible opportunity to explore our individuality.”

Molly Bell, who joined The Australian Ballet School in 2021, echoes Eliza’s sentiments: “When Frances first started working with us, she said, ‘We’re obviously focusing on the details, but I want you to play with it, have fun with it, and explore yourself in it.’ That really resonated with me because it allowed us to interpret the work in our own way.”

Both students reflect on the unique environment at The Australian Ballet School, where individual growth is nurtured alongside technical training. Eliza notes, “There are more performance opportunities in Level 8, which gives you a taste of professional life. It’s exciting, and I feel ready to take the next step in my career.”

Molly adds, “The training here is very individualised, and it’s about growing within yourself. Working on ‘No. 5’ with Frances has been a journey of developing our own interpretation of the work, which is something I’ll carry with me as I move forward in my career.”

As the Level 8 students prepare for their futures in professional dance companies, their experience with ‘No. 5’ and the mentorship of Frances Chung will further contribute to their artistic development. Beyond mastering choreography, they have learned valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of personal expression in their craft.

In the words of Frances Chung, “Every experience as a dancer should be a learning experience. I hope that the time we spent together on ‘No. 5’ has helped these students grow, not just as dancers, but as artists ready to take on the world.”

This collaboration between past and present, between established artists and the next generation, highlights the enduring power of dance to inspire, challenge, and transform.