Document Actions
Welcome to the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy & the National College of Dance
The Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy & the National College of Dance offer excellence in dance classes for students of all ages. The studio is situated in Lambton, Newcastle Australia.
Weekly Studio News - 29 June 2009
The Annual Rose Walton Memorial Benefit Fund Scholarship Concert - and the winners are...
Congratulations to all the students who performed, the parents who helped backstage and with costumes and to the very talented staff who presented the 2009 Scholarship Concert.
On Sunday 28th June every student from the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy and the National College of Dance embraced the opportunity to perform their class work in the styles of Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz to a packed audience at the Griffith Duncan Theatre, University of Newcastle. The lovely Tiny Tots (students aged 3 - 5) were as always a crowd favourite as they presented their class work in the form of a fairy tale. Also performing were the competition groups, who will be traveling to Sydney in the next couple of months for the Sydney Eisteddfod. These groups were choreographed by a variety of the very talented teaching staff, including Debbie Linnert who has choreographed for the television series of 'So you think you can dance, Australia'. Interspersed throughout the program were the finals of the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy scholarships for which students had been chosen for their ability, sportsmanship and class work. The adjudicator this year was Jason Wilcock who studied with the Australian Ballet School before joining the Hong Kong Ballet 1996-2000, Jason then worked with Opera Australia and in 2003 he joined the Sydney Dance Company. Jason has extensive classical, contemporary and stage craft experience and his feedback has been invaluable for the students.
Scholarship Winners for 2009
- Classical - Junior School - Samantha Thomas & Alyssa Kelty Middle School - Belle Beasley Senior School - Ashley Coburn
- Contemporary - Junior School - Paige Rochester Middle School - Beatrice Walker Senior School - Elizabeth Masters & Dan Wilkinson
- Jazz - Junior School - Brittany Evans Middle School - Skip Bobsien-Wilcox Senior School - Lawrence Creevy & Nicole Clarke-Mitchell
photo: Staged08 NCD students on stage at the Civic Theatre, photo by K O Brien
Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards 2009
Congratulations to former student Stephanie Williams who has been nominated for the Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards. Born in Newcastle, Stephanie trained with the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy, joining the studio as a young and enthusiastic dancer, before being offered a place with the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, full time program in 2003. Upon graduation, she danced the dual role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. In 2007 Stephanie was offered a contract with the Australian Ballet Company and has danced principal roles in Afternoon with a Faun, Symphonie Fantastique and the black swan pas de deux in Swan Lake.
Stephanie has recieved numerous awards including a Gold Medal at the 10th Asia Pacific International Ballet Competition in 2005 and the Graeme Murphy Award for Excellence in Contemporary Dance in 2005.
Stephanie was recently asked to perform with the Christopher Wheeldon company in the Sydney 2009 production of 'Morphoses'.
How to vote for Stephanie
You can vote by texting 'Stephanie' to 0439 Ballet
- See Noticeboard for more news of Stephanie and other dancers.
- See MWM Dance for more information on the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy
- See National College of Dance for more information on the Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma in Dance Performance courses offered
Introduction to Marie Walton Mahon
Solo Seal, Vocational Examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance
Artistic Director of the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy and the National College of Dance, Newcastle, Australia
Marie gained honours in the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced examination and awarded the Solo Seal. She then travelled to France where she continued her studies, under the distinguished Rosella Hightower. Marie then danced professionally with “Les Ballet de Marseille” under the direction of Roland Petit, touring through Europe. On returning to Newcastle, Marie opened the ballet school and her reputation as a teacher of excellence soon attracted an increasing number of students and by the 1980s her senior students were regularly gaining places in the most prestigious companies both in Australia and Internationally.
Over a 32-year career as an educator, Marie is acknowledged for her innovative teaching techniques, while her emphasis on the personal development of individual students enables each to reach their full potential.
In 2006 Marie obtained Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and also her Statement of Participation in The Art of Recognition.
In 2007 the National College of Dance was officially opened, offering nationally accredited training in dance and related subjects. Students have the opportunity to graduate with Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma in Dance Performance. Upon graduation students have the option to take up credits offered with the University of Newcastle. In April 2008, the college was proud to announce the new patron for the school, Li Cunxin. Inspired by his story, dedication to excellence and a passion for dance, all staff and students of the college are excited by the knowledge and grace that Li will bring to the school.
For more infomation on Li Cunxin and the College, click here for the National College of Dance tab.
For more information about the staff, click here for the Staff Profiles tab.
At the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy, we aim
- To develop a love of dance in students at a young age, and to maintain high standards of technique and artistry
- To employ the best available resident staff and to regularly bring expert guest teachers and coaches, thereby giving each individual child an insight into various styles and methods.
- To strengthen the bond between the Senior and Junior schools, and to encourage peer support at all levels
- To continue assisting all students with costume hire, encouragement awards, senior scholarships and internal scholarships, through the fund-raising activities of the Rose Walton Memorial Benefit Fund.
For a look at students performing on stage click here
