Celebrate 80 Years With West Australian Orchestra

The Ballets Russes was founded by Sergei Diaghilev in the early 1920s, using Russian dancers who had fled the country because of the Russian Revolution. Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes were unique in the way they incorporated all mediums of the artistic world: choreography, visual arts, music and dance. The Ballets Russes tour of Australia in 1930 laid foundation for Australian’s vibrant and distinctive ballet companies.

Born in Wagin, Western Australia in 1964 and educated at South Perth Primary and Wesley College. Steven Heathcote began dancing at the age of ten with Madame Kira Bousloff, founder of the West Australian Ballet, and then full time dance studies with Shelley Rae. After graduating from The Australian Ballet School, he joined The Australian Ballet in 1983. He was promoted to Principal Artist in 1987. Heathcote will join the West Australian Symphony Orchestra on this special occasion to talk about his vast experience as one of the leading dances in the country and reflect on the program repertoire and the contributions of The Ballets Russes to Australian dance.

The Orchestra will be led by Conductor Laureate, Vladimir Verbitsky who has a special place in the hearts of West Australian Symphony Orchestra patrons and in 2007 celebrated 20 years of music making with the WASO. Vladimir Verbitsky has toured Australia each year since 1987 and regularly conducts all the major Australian and New Zealand orchestras. -- www.waso.com.au