Q&A with Associate Teacher, Grant Aris

From London to New York to Switzerland and everywhere in between: Queensland Ballet Academy’s newest Associate Teacher Grant Aris has graced ballet stages across the world during his extensive career, collecting invaluable wisdom, insight, and experience along the way. Fortunately for Academy students, his dream is to pass on this precious knowledge to the new generation of artists in Australia. Read all about his highlights, passions, and diverse skills, in our exclusive Q&A.

Hi Grant, you’ve had a vast and impressive career: tell us a little about it.

I was born in the UK and moved to Australia when I was five-years-old, growing up in Perth. When I turned 10, I went back to study at the Royal Ballet School for three years, before coming back again at 13 to join The Australian Ballet School. After finishing my studies, I joined the Australian Ballet as a dancer at the age of 17 for a period of 5 years, and then moved to Geneva Switzerland to become a Principal Dancer with Le Ballet de Grand Theatre de Geneve for 11 years, and later I spent 14 years there as a Ballet Master and Rehearsal Director.

Any particular highlights?

There are so many I’ve experienced along the way. The first time I went to New York, the first time I went to Tokyo; all those different cities are amazing, but the one that stands out the most is the first time I danced with The Australian Ballet in the State Theatre. I was 19, and having that perspective from the stage where you look out over the conductor and auditorium and you’re dancing a solo and the orchestra is playing for you, you think, ‘wow. This is what it’s all about’. That was just remarkable.

You joined Queensland Ballet Academy as an Associate Teacher this year. What inspired you to take the position?

It has always been my dream to come back to Australia. It was always my idea to collect all the knowledge that I could in the dance world and the cultural world, and to bring it back to nourish the new generation of dancers and artists here in Australia and pass on my wisdom, shall we say.

What does a typical day involve?

I have a diverse set of responsibilities at QB, which is exciting. I’m responsible for the Level 2 Contemporary and the new Level 1 Transitional course; I’m teaching contemporary repertoire technique and also partnering techniques. The students are a very diverse, open-minded group and it’s just a joy to share my experience with them.

Favourite aspect of your job?

Working with the students and seeing them hungry for more. When I finish my lesson and they’re still working on what I’ve been teaching them, and there’s that sparkle in their eye … I just love that part.

Do you have a passion for certain styles of dance?

I studied as a classical dancer, I learned contemporary along the way but, especially in Europe, you have to be so diverse and open to every style of dance. I love tap dancing, ballroom dancing, I studied Indian dance when I was young, Spanish, the castanets, I love everything about dance: the rhythm, the musicality of it.

What do you love about the Academy environment?

It’s such a wonderful nurturing atmosphere here. Every day as soon as you walk through that front door, the first contact you have with the cultural services officer is ‘hi, how are you?’ It’s quite a contrast from what I’m used to in Europe. Everyone here is so caring and sincere – it’s rare. Australia in general is wonderful: the sunshine, people are friendly, everything is easy going and relaxed, but still efficient. It’s great.

Finally, what would you say to any young dancers considering applying to Queensland Ballet Academy?

It’s a great place to study, it’s very warm and welcoming. The staff are incredibly talented and there are so many experiences to learn from. I think all the students here are set for diverse and optimistic futures in the world of dance!

By Cassandra Houghton