Edith Cowan University’s Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts has kicked off its inaugural Premier Visiting Artist Program.
Based at the new Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence at ECU City, the program brings together some of the world’s most exciting and respected creatives to infuse new ideas into student programs and the wider arts community.
WAAPA Executive Dean Professor David Shirley says the program creates transformative learning opportunities for students while enriching the creative sector.
“The Premier Visiting Artist initiative means we can bring the world’s most gifted artists with decades of international experience into the classroom, the rehearsal studio, and the performance space,” Professor Shirley said.
“For WAAPA students, exposure of this kind is invaluable in developing and nurturing both craft and interpretative skill. It means that our students will enter the professions for which they have been trained with high degrees of confidence.
“The program also benefits the broader community by opening up performances, masterclasses and conversations that connect Western Australian audiences and practitioners with leading international voices.”
The first visiting artist is Ukranian-Australian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, providing a rare opportunity for students and others to learn from a piano virtuoso.
Gavrylyuk is the first of four globally-recognised artists who will visit WAAPA this year. He will be followed by award-winning lighting and projection designer Jon Driscoll, renowned voice teacher Patsy Rodenburg and seven-time Grammy-winning composer Maria Schneider.
Learn more about the program at waapa.ecu.edu.au
Declaration: OUTinPerth co-editor Graeme Watson is employed by Edith Cowan University.
