ABOUT

Bethany’s journey into dancing was fostered through her high school dance experience at Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School. Here, she was introduced to contemporary dance through the extra-curricular dance program. Here, she found the power in dance as a means of storytelling and self-expression. As her artistic individuality grew, so too did her responsibilities where she was invited to choreograph on the dance program students. This is a credit to the environment provided by her mentors. Under the guidance of 2nd Toe Dance Collective by Adam Wheeler, Frankie Snowdon, Madeleine Krenek, Jandruze and Benjamin Hancock, Bethany participated in the 2011 Rock Eisteddfod “Finding Jack,” as well as numerous performing arts collaborations with the drama and theatre program. This program was taken over by Menagerie Dance Collective dancers Patrick Meessmann, Rachel Heller-Wagner and Ashlee Bye. This exposure to numerous VCA graduates encouraged Bethany to consider obtaining a higher education in dance.

Commencing the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) course in 2021, saw the trials of Naarm/Melbourne lockdowns and reflected the shift in the industry to online and digital accessibility to dance and creativity. In doing so, Bethany had access to classes whilst stuck overseas. It was this experience, that provided Bethany with the notion of being an international artist without necessarily leaving the country. Something she intends to explore as a dramaturg, so as to establish herself more universally.

Whilst undertaking her BFA, Bethany has had the opportunity to learn from numerous local and international artists including: Professor Carol Brown, Sade Alleyne, Lloyd Newson, James Batchelor, Joel Bray, Antony Hamilton, Stephanie Lake, Phillip Adams, Julie Ann Minaai, Kialea-Nadine Williams, Kimball Wong, Siobhan Mckenna, Brianna Kell, Kyall Shanks, Brooke Stamp, Georgia Rudd, Rachel Coulson, Samantha Hines, Efren Pamilacan, and Philipa Rothfield.

In conjuction with her BFA, Bethany has strengthened her community based participation in dance through her professional placement with GUTS Dance. This also contributed to her involvement with Liesel Zink through the ‘Us And All Of This’ project alongside more than 100 dancing volunteers.