BY: MELISSA WALSH
When Alexandra Dellaportas started dancing at two little did she know it would culminate into a life-long passion for the Rosebud dancer, writer and choreographer.
At just 18 years of age, and with a passion for dance, Alex has already started her own dance company on the Mornington Peninsula and is delighted with the reaction she has received.
“After doing dance since I was little, I realized there were plenty of great dance schools but no companies so I decided to start Spark Youth Dance Company,” said Alex, who started thinking seriously about it during year 12 last year. “I was very preoccupied with my studies but needed something to take my mind off the ATAR score and pressure so thought of this. I wanted the year to be about something else and so made up the slogan ‘Dance is Life’, realizing that I do have a real passion for it which continued to be inspired when I saw the magical performances of companies like The Australian Ballet.”
Admitting that she tends to take on a lot of projects, Alex says that the seed was planted last year and all she had to do was wait for the perfect time to set it up.
“I knew that I wanted to do it especially after I’d finished exams and worked at the Cabaret Cathedral over the summer. I loved being around the performers and in that environment and thought ‘I can create this too but for young people,” she said.
So, with the backing of her accountant mum and her artistic and creative dad, Alex worked out a plan.
“Mum was great and helped me figure out costs and the practical side of things so we knew what we would be up for. And dad also continues to help with the photography and creating promo videos.”
Spark Youth Dance Company will be performing a contemporary version of The Nutcracker in September at the Frankston Arts Centre, and rehearsals are well under way.
“I decided to combine my history knowledge with love of dance and created a version of The Nutcracker which is set in WW1. The story is about propaganda, with the father a solider in the war who sends his daughter a doll, the nutcracker, for Christmas. After there is a big explosion hear her house she passes out and has a dream. So it has all the similarities of the original with a different twist,” said Alex, who is incidentally studying dance and history at university this year. “We are still using the Tchaikovsky music of course but adding our own flavour.”
Growing up at home, Alex and her two siblings have been surrounded by creativity and music.
“”Mum is a Salvo so we all grew up around the Salvo music, and then of course dad with his photography, art, and his music has been a huge inspiration,” said Alex, whose debut into dance started with her Grandma Elaine.
“Grandma was determined one of us would be a dancer. She had taken mum to classes when she was young but she wasn’t into it. So she took me. At just two I wasn’t supposed to really join in but I loved it and they let me,” said Alex with a laugh. “Originally that was with Miss Anita’s Ballet School which then became Dwan-A-Dance in Dromana.”
Seeing The Australian Ballet for the first time in year eight, Alex knew she was hooked.
“It was Romeo and Juliet and I didn’t even know it was possible to have such incredible art in dance. I fell in love with the idea that you can tell a story with your movements. It is a universal thing.”
Now, six years on, Alex not only has her own dance company; she has also managed to get a special guest to be the nutcracker.
“One of the most exciting things is we have professional dancer Daniel Gaudiello, dancing as our nutcracker,” said Alex.
Within 12 months, Alex Dellaportas has created a youth dance company that has 28 dancers and a special guest artist, with a booked venue in September, and all from something that was sparked from her love of dance.
“I love the story telling, and movement is such a human thing as everyone moves. It is such a beautiful thing when you can tell a story without words, and to be able to offer the youth of the Peninsula and surrounds a place to perform is fantastic. As a young person myself I have always wanted a performance opportunity and now I am able to give it to others. I am also hoping it is a stepping stone for young people who may have an interest in choreography, costume and set design and organizing productions. I want it to ‘spark’ the passions of other young people.”
Spark Youth Dance Company Inc is a not for profit dance company, designed by youth for youth under 25. They will be performing The Nutcracker on September 22 and 23 at the Frankston Arts Centre. www.sparkyouthdance.com.au
As published in Peninsula Kids Magazine – Spring 2016