Meet Damian Smith: THE NATIONAL
Damian Smith
What sets The National apart from other similar schools across Australia?
“Our teaching faculty includes an international group of professionals with extensive experience in the industry and strong connections with current industry leaders and artists.
The diverse dance curriculum at The National Ballet School includes Musical Theatre, Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Character Dance and Contemporary Ballet. This wide repertoire allows students to develop a breadth of technical skills and versatility, augmenting their prospects in the performing arts industry.
The curriculum provides students with an immersive education that covers all aspects of creating dance productions. This includes choreographing dances, rehearsing casts, working with lighting designers and developing costume concepts, which effectively cultivates the students' talent, creativity and enterprise skills.
The students at The National Ballet School receive rigorous training in the Vaganova technique, which provides them with a structured approach to learning classical ballet. The school also offers students the opportunity to undertake the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams, which carry international recognition and are well-regarded by many in the industry.
The historic National Theatre provides exclusive opportunities for students to perform in a functioning theatre environment throughout the year. This on-stage experience helps students to build confidence and to develop their artistic expression, creativity and technical abilities, crucial in their future careers. Dance students also work with the Drama school students, which provides opportunities to develop collaborative and interdisciplinary skills, work with actors in productions, and to better understand all aspects of a production and appreciate the interconnectedness of different art forms..”
What do you look for when you audition students?
“I typically look for a range of qualities and skills, including:
· Preparation and readiness to perform, which can include arriving on time, wearing appropriate dance attire, and being mentally focused and present in the moment.
· Confidence and poise, which can demonstrate a sense of comfort and familiarity with ballet techniques and movements.
· Coordination and musicality, which can showcase a student's ability to navigate complex sequences and rhythms with grace and precision.
· Basic technical proficiency, including understanding of turnout, plie, foot arching, and weight transfer.
· Strong eppáulment, which refers to a student's ability to carry themselves gracefully and confidently, with an open and lifted carriage of the shoulders and head.
· Positive attitude and willingness to take direction, which can indicate a student's openness to feedback and eagerness to improve.
· Good physical condition and proportions, which can help optimize a student's movement quality and overall stage presence.
While students don't need to be fully polished or refined, it is important that they demonstrate a commitment to learning and growing as dancers. ”
What inspires you to keep educating?
“It can be incredibly rewarding and inspiring to witness a student's growth and progress, to see them succeed and develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence and to apply what they have learned in dance and in life. Ultimately, the passion and love for the art form of ballet and the desire to share that with others is what drives me to continue teaching.”