The industry partnership between QUT's Creative Industries Faculty and the internationally acclaimed Brisbane-based Expressions Dance Company (EDC) is reaping rewards for QUT dance graduates.
Three of the four women in the current EDC ensemble are QUT Dance graduates, with the latest recruit being Cloudia Elder who completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at QUT last year.
More than a dozen QUT Dance graduates have been members of EDC over the duration of the company's history, including founding member and the company's Artistic Director since 2009, Natalie Weir.
Thanks to the partnership between QUT and EDC, Cloudia was able to spend extended time with the company as a student in 2014 as part of her University studies and performed in their productions of The Red Shoes and SOLO Festival of Dance. She was given a six month contract this month thanks to the support of the Patricia MacDonald Memorial Foundation and her first performance as an official company member will be in The Host at QPAC opening today and running until 9 May.
Then on 16 May, she and the other members of EDC will head to Guangzhou, China, to work on an international collaboration with the Guangdong Modern Dance Group that they will then perform in China on 12 June.
Cloudia, who lives in New Farm, said being able to join EDC as a trainee in her final year of study was the opportunity of a life time.
"The QUT Creative Industries Faculty Dance school is one of the best in the world. Not only is it at the forefront of teaching practices, it also takes an innovative approach to giving students a real chance at a career in dance," Cloudia said.
"The experience I gained with EDC while studying was such a privilege and to now be a permanent part of that ensemble is a dream come true."
Associate Professor Gene Moyle, QUT Head of Discipline - Dance said the value of an industry partnership such as that QUT has with EDC could not be over-stated.
"Cloudia Elder joins other QUT dance alumni Elise May and Michelle Barnett in the current line-up of this ground-breaking and world renowned dance company," said Professor Moyle.
"It is this kind of real world experience that QUT excels in and which gives our students the edge when they embark on their career."
Natalie Weir, Artistic Director of EDC said the company had long been committed to providing opportunities for young dancers.
"At EDC we really value the notion of providing dancers with employment in Queensland. Otherwise we will lose these incredibly talented individuals to dance companies elsewhere in Australia and overseas," Ms Weir said.
"We must nurture our local artists and partnering with QUT Dance and the Creative Industry Faculty is a great way in which we can do this."
A photo of Cloudia is available to download on flickr.
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
