Australian Prima Ballerina Goes to Ciliwung

The Australian Embassy, Jakarta in cooperation with Yayasan Bina Ballet Indonesia (Ballet.id) proudly presents ‘Ballet Goes to Ciliwung’, a community development program intended for children in Ciliwung, Jakarta. This dance workshop, held in Sanggar Ciliwung Merdeka today, is the first ballet coaching in Ciliwung.

Juliet Burnett prima ballerina with Australian ballet, who is also the niece of the well-known Indonesian poet and playwright WS Rendra, will lead this community program. Juliet will teach and share her experiences with children in Kampung Ciliwung and support the children to be introduced to ballet dance.

During her trip to Indonesia, Juliet Burnett also leads the Ballet Master Class for children of Indonesian ballet institutions and performed in The First Indonesian Ballet Gala on 22 August 2015. The First Indonesian Ballet Gala performance presented an international ballet collaboration with Indonesian, Australian, Czech Republic and Korean professional dancers.

Children in Ciliwung have a strong interest in dance and art; they have been independently practicing traditional dances by using YouTube as their self-learning method. The ‘Ballet Goes to Ciliwung’ program will also extend the scholarship to talented children to attend the ballet school, so they can experience a more structured and formal ballet studies.

The Australian Embassy, Jakarta is pleased to be involved in ‘Ballet Goes to Ciliwung’ in cooperation with students from Indonesian Ballet Teachers Association and Ballet.id volunteers. Advocacy and Outreach Counsellor, Alison Purnell said ‘Ballet Goes to Ciliwung’ is expected to share dance experiences and skills with a younger generation and encourage children’s interest in dance and art.

Media Enquiries:
Alison Purnell, Advocacy and Outreach Counsellor tel. (021) 2550 5260