The Australian Ballet Returns to qualia in June For A Sunset Performance

April 13, 2010 - PRLog -- The Australian Ballet is to return to qualia (www.qualia.com.au), the luxury Great Barrier Reef resort on Hamilton Island, for an intimate sunset performance entitled ‘Pas de Deux in Paradise’ featuring a celebrated cast of Principal Artists.

This year’s outdoor performance will take place over the Queen’s birthday weekend from 11th–13th June, and will feature an outstanding Australian Ballet cast with three Principal Artists - Lucinda Dunn, Robert Curran, Rachel Rawlins - and Senior Artist, Andrew Killian (see dancers’ biographies at end of release).

Commenting on this year’s performance, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, David McAllister, said “This has become an important event in our calendar. It provides patrons with exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ access to The Australian Ballet in one of Australia’s most beautiful locations, culminating in a magical sunset performance with a Whitsundays backdrop.”

The weekend will also provide a strong focus on first-class dining as well as the opportunity to interact with the artists and executives from The Australian Ballet including a Q&A session and an open rehearsal on the day of the performance. Emceeing the event for a second time will be Australian TV presenter Catriona Rowntree.

qualia regularly hosts high profile events and has firmly established itself at one of Australia’s most luxurious, ‘must visit’ properties. A stay on Hamilton Island also offers guests a choice of over 40 activities ranging from bushwalking to windsurfing, not to mention golf at Hamilton Island Golf Club (www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au), Australia’s only 18-hole championship golf course situated on its own island.

Bridge & Wickers (http;//www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk , 020 7483 6555) can arrange a 10-night holiday to Australia, including the "Pas de Deux in Paradise" package, from £3, 632 per person. This price includes:

• Return international and domestic flights with Qantas Airways from Heathrow
• 4-nights’ at the Amora Jamison in Sydney on a room only basis
• Return private airport transfers in Sydney
• 6 nights’ accommodation at qualia including breakfast, plus all meals and non alcoholic drinks on the two nights of the ballet weekend (11th and 12th June)
• Attendance at The Australian Ballet performance
• Use of a two-seater electric golf buggy
• Return Hamilton Island airport/marina transfers
• Use of non-motorised watercraft

DANCERS’ BIOGRAPHIES:
Robert Curran
"The ultimate poetic and sensitive dancer" - Sunday Herald Sun
A graduate of The Australian Ballet School, Robert Curran joined The Australian Ballet in 1996 and was promoted to Principal Artist in 2002. During his time with the company he has performed in numerous classical and contemporary works by choreographers such as Kylián, Forsythe, Welch, Balanchine, Cranko, Baynes, Robbins and MacMillan, carving out a niche with his powerful partnering.

Lucinda Dunn
"Lucinda Dunn is a superstar" - Sunday Herald Sun
Lucinda Dunn received her early training in Sydney with Janece Graham and Tanya Pearson before going on to win a Prix de Lausanne scholarship to study at The Royal Ballet School, London. While in London she also performed with The Birmingham Royal Ballet. In 1991 Lucinda joined The Australian Ballet and was promoted to Principal Artist in 2002. A diverse and musical dancer with a strong technique, Lucinda excels in the pure classical ballets and enjoys portraying characters in story ballets, as well as the physicality of contemporary pieces.

Rachel Rawlins
"Every centimetre the classical ballerina"- The Australian
Rachel grew up in Canberra and studied ballet with Del Brady. She completed her dance training in Melbourne, attending The Victorian College of the Arts, The National Theatre Ballet School and The Australian Ballet School. Rachel spent two years as a First Soloist with The Royal Ballet in London and was promoted to Principal Artist with the Australian Ballet in 2004.

Andrew Killian
"Immaculate and debonair"- Dance Australia
Melbourne-born Andrew Killian, a student of The Australian Ballet School, joined The Australian Ballet in 2000 and was promoted to Senior Artist for the 2009 season. During his time with The Australian Ballet, Andrew has performed leading roles in the company's extensive classical repertoire, including Lescaut in Kenneth McMillan's Manon, Espada in Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote and the Nutcracker Prince in Peter Wright's The Nutcracker. Andrew was nominated for the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award in 2009.

ABOUT QUALIA:
qualia, Australia's world class luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef located on the secluded northern-most point of Hamilton Island, has 60 one-bedroom pavilions and a Beach House, each set amongst eucalyptus trees with postcard views of the idyllic blue, green waters of the Whitsundays. There are also two superb restaurants and Spa qualia catering exclusively to guests. Hamilton Island can be accessed directly from all east coast international gateway cities in under three hours.

'qualia', deliberately spelled with a lower case 'q' as a reflection of the relaxed, understated nature of this property, is a member of Small Luxury Hotels and welcomes guests 18 years and over.

OTHER HAMILTON ISLAND EVENTS OF NOTE:
AUDI HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEK (20th - 28th August 2010) is one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious off-shore yachting events with the new eye catching Hamilton Island Yacht Club taking centre stage and providing a hub for spectators and participants alike.

THE GREAT BARRIER FEAST (23rd -25th July 2010) - Acclaimed chef, Justin North, will host this year’s second event which includes a series of intimate cooking demonstrations and master classes.

Visit http://www.qualia.com.au

-ENDS-

NOTE TO EDITORS:
For further information & images, input for fact boxes & round ups, to discuss media visits & feature ideas, contact:

IPR clients: Hamilton Island - Queensland, Kamili, Qantas Holidays, qualia - Great Barrier Reef, Reef and Rainforest Tours, South Australian Tourism Commission, Woodovis Park

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