Celebrating 65 Years of Dance in Box Hill 1951-2016

“Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.” –Unknown.

The Box Hill Ballet Association, formerly the Box Hill City Ballet Group, was founded by the former Box Hill City Council and the Citizens’ Committee for Community Activities, in 1951, and has been nurturing young (and not so young) dancers for over 65 years.

Cr. K.G.McIntyre (former Councillor, Box Hill City Council) called a Community meeting which attracted about 200 people, and a volunteer–based Ballet Group was formed. The first meeting of the volunteer Committee was held on 11th May 1951 and one month later classes commenced at 30 shillings per Term.

The Association continues to endeavour to meet the demands of the Community of Box Hill and surrounds by teaching young people the beauty and style of dance, and giving a sense of discipline, which supports students throughout their entire life.

Musicality, expression and creativity are all encouraged as part of every dance lesson, enhancing both performance and enjoyment. From Creative Movement for the “littlies”, through classical ballet, jazz and tap for the primary, teens and adult levels, to Wu Tao and International Folk Dance for the more mature adult, there is a style to suit all ages and abilities, with beginners aged 4 to 94 most welcome!

The Association prides itself on being a welcoming, family-friendly, community-based ballet school, where students return year after year – some working towards taking exams, a career in the performing arts or as a dance teacher, and others dancing “just for fun”.

Over the years the Box Hill City Council (now part of the City of Whitehorse) has supported the Ballet School in its many endeavours to teach the importance of the Arts in Australian life. In turn, the Ballet School has shown its learned skills in the regular presentation of an Annual Performance, in addition to performing for various charity organisations and taking part in local festivals.

The dedication of the many families and countless volunteers throughout the years is acknowledged and is to be applauded; without this support, the Association would not be celebrating 65 years this year. Thank you to students and their families, both past and present.

Sir Zelman Cowan said in 1965 that the Box Hill Ballet Group was unique in Australia, and to this day it continues to follow the aim set by the first Committee in 1951: “To practice, appreciate, and extend the art of ballet in Box Hill.”