On the Road with Holly Frick

Queensland Ballet’s Education Teaching Artists are hitting the open road in August and September, taking school and community workshops to 15 locations across regional Queensland. The workshops aim to inspire regional communities and provide the opportunity to experience the physical, social and emotional benefits of dance.

The workshops cater for all ages and abilities with something on offer for everyone. Community classes, presented by Ergon Energy Network and Energex range from QB Petit Pointers aimed to enthral the littlest lovers of dance, to a tailored Ballet for Adults class for mature active adults. The tour also includes In-School workshops, sponsored by Shell’s QGC business, providing safe, educative and inclusive dance experiences for students in kindergartens and schools.

Queensland Ballet’s Education Teaching Artists play a vital role in taking the joy of movement and ballet all across Queensland, from our home studio in Brisbane to rural towns in outback Queensland. Throughout the tour we are going to help you get to know our Education Teaching Artists by asking them all the important questions; from their fondest moment on stage, why regional tour is important for regional communities, and of course, the best road trip songs.

Q: How did your dance journey begin? 

A: I began ballet training at age three, at The Dance Spot in Sydney, studying all genres of dance with a focus on ballet. I started dancing because my mum owned a ballet studio and encouraged me to join in. In 2010, I joined The Australian Ballet ITP Program Level 2 and Level 3, and in 2013 moved to Melbourne to begin full-time dance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

Q: How long have you been a Queensland Ballet Education Teaching Artist for?

A: In 2018 I joined the Queensland Ballet Pre-Professional Program and Queensland Ballet Teaching Artist team, teaching classes to the public, and in 2019 I joined the Queensland Ballet Education team, travelling to the wider community to teach ballet.

Q: If you had to pick one moment dancing on stage that is most memorable, what would it be? 

A: Dancing with the Queensland Ballet Company in the Nutcracker season will always be a memorable moment for myself. It was the first time I danced alongside a professional ballet company.

Q: What do you love most about dance?

A: There is a lot to love about dance, but one aspect I have always loved is the community of people you get to see and work with every day. It is an awesome feeling when you get to do what you love every day and share it with such talented people.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about regional tour?

A: I haven't visited the majority of locations we are going to on our 2020 regional tour, so it is an awesome opportunity to explore regional Queensland, while bringing dance to people who may not have access to it.

Q: What has been your highlight as a dancer at Queensland Ballet?  

A: Performing in the Bespoke season at the powerhouse. It was awesome to work with some of Brisbane’s best choreographers, like Jack Lister and Amy Hollingsworth.

Q: What’s something we may not know about you?

A: I enjoy spending my spare time at the beach. I grew up by the beach in Sydney, so when I moved to Brisbane I struggled to live without it. Most weekends I try and escape to the coast.

Q: Why is the regional tour important to you?

A: It is important for me to share my passion for dance with other aspiring dancers around the state. Hopefully I will be able to inspire people to continue with their dancing goals and discover the magic of ballet.

Q: Best road trip song?

A: On the Road Again by Willie Nelson is a classic road trip song my family plays every time we go away.