WORKING WITH MALE STUDENTS:  In this novel workshop on the need for a Boys’ Ballet Revolution, Dance Educator and Performing Artist Benjamin Franzen will expound on his philosophy about the need for reformation and approach to boys’ ballet education at the foundational level. Benjamin has spent the last 10 years teaching young men and boys specialised ballet skills and has identified the pressing need to deal with this minority in the ballet community who have been overlooked and underserved for too long .With the revolutionary thrust of dance education in the 21st century, is the Ballet Community doing its utmost to keep up to date with new practices in training young bodies effectively? Can we stop the attrition and cultural stigma apparent in modern Western societies? Will ballet systems adapt or replaced by modern systems of movement in the Internet age? This presentation will provide its participants with a preview and sneak peek into Benjamin’s upcoming Boys Ballet Manual with insights into his approach on new methods of boys’ ballet instruction as well as regional and national strategies for the improvement and updating of boys’ ballet education for the 21st century.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING:  It has long been known that the arts, in its various forms, can have a positive impact on the social emotional wellbeing of its participants. Yet, understanding the mechanisms behind this impact and ensuring positive wellbeing outcomes for all participants has remained a challenge. Enter The SEW – Arts project, funded by Healthway and conducted by Telethon Kids Institute in partnership with Edith Cowan University. The SEW-Arts project sought to better understand the relationship between the arts and social and emotional wellbeing. Its primary goal was to develop a framework that would strengthen the capacity of arts organisations to enhance the wellbeing of young people participating in their programs. The project’s journey commenced with gathering invaluable insights from conversations with arts organisations and young participants themselves. The resulting SEW – Arts framework has been piloted by 25 diverse arts organisations spanning dance, theatre, music, visual arts, and circus disciplines. In this presentation, Dr Leanne Fried, the Lead Investigator on the SEW – Arts project will discuss the frameworks development, its main components, and its applicability to teaching artists and arts organisations. Dr Fried will also share insights into what’s planned for the SEW – Arts project.

MINDFUL MOVEMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH:  Presented by Stephen Hale, who. following his study at the Australian Ballet School, achieved a Master of Social Science in Health Education Counseling, a Graduate Diploma in Arts, a Bachelor of Social Work with Honors, and a Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing. Now retired, Stephen specialized in adult mental health and community mental health, suicide and self-harm intervention, child and adolescent school health, adolescent sexual health and facilitated positive parenting programs.  He holds a Dance Movement Therapy Certificate from the International Dance Movement Therapy Institute of Australia.  He completed the Dance Skill Set for Teachers offered by Ausdance and has adjudicated dance.

This session is about the journey of movement and self awareness through mindfulness. Combining the mindfulness movement with dance, particularly ballet, can be a wonderful way to enhance the mind-body connection. Mindful ballet involves focusing on each movement, breath, and sensation while, dancing allowing for a deeper more meaningful experience. Practicing mindfulness in ballet can help dancers improve their technique, balance, and flexibility while also reducing stress and anxiety. It encourages heightened awareness of body alignment, muscle engagement, and artistic expression. By staying present and mindful during ballet practice or performances, students and dancers can achieve a greater sense of flow and connection to their art form. In this guided session, Stephen will help participants to explore integrating mindfulness techniques with classical ballet movement to enhance mental health wellbeing and to understand the importance of being present in the moment and its positive impact on mental health.