Houston Ballet Academy Names New Interim Director

Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM announced today the appointment of Vicki Attard as Interim Director of Houston Ballet Academy.

"I am happy to welcome Vicki to Houston Ballet as our Interim Academy Director," said Mr. Welch. "Having previously worked with Vicki, I know the passion and dedication she brings to all of her work. Since her days as a dancer, she has accumulated an impressive background in dance education, and I know our students will benefit greatly under her guidance and tutelage."

A native of Mackay, Queensland, Ms. Attard joined The Australian Ballet in 1985 and rose to the rank of Principal Artiste. During her 15-year career as a professional dancer, she performed in numerous principal roles including the title roles of Manon, Giselle, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and Kitri in Don Quixote.

As a dancer at The Australian Ballet, Ms. Attard worked with Mr. Welch and had the role of Cio-Cio San from Madame Butterfly created on her. Afterwards, she assisted him in staging the production for several companies: The National Ballet of Canada, Atlanta Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, The Australian Ballet, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

"I am extremely honored to accept the interim position of Academy Director at Houston Ballet Academy," commented Ms. Attard. "Over the past 12 years Ms. Shelly Power has been paramount in the advancement of the Academy, and I extend my warmest wishes to her in her future engagement. Houston Ballet Academy is an institution of excellence, and I am very

excited to further encourage the students to be exemplary innovators who will both respectfully acknowledge tradition, and also push through boundaries to discover the exhilaration of dance. Listening with an open mind, nurturing with an open heart and offering my past achievements will be my steadfast approach to the position, and I am personally overjoyed at the prospect of working with all Academy students and staff members."

As a dance educator, Ms. Attard holds a Graduate Diploma in Dance Instruction. She teaches at several major Sydney dance institutions and became the Head of Academy Ballet's Semi Professional Programme. Ms. Attard also created her own pointe program entitled 'My Pointe' and co-produced 'My Beginner Pointe', which are specifically designed for young dancers and teachers to learn the safe dance practices and aesthetic components involved in pointe work.

To post a comment, you must register and login.