DAVID PAGE MUSIC FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM - APPLY NOW
Roy David Page, a proud Munaldjali and Nunukal man, was Bangarra Dance Theatre's Songman, Composer, and Music Director. His legacy lives on in perpetuity as the musical heartbeat of the company to which he dedicated so much of his life. With boundless energy and creative prowess, David not only enriched artistic expressions but also invested time in mentoring the next generation of First Nations artists.
In 2017, Bangarra established a Fellowship program in his honour, providing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander composers/musicians early in their careers with paid opportunities to collaborate on various projects with the company.
In 2024 there will be two Fellowships awarded. This is a paid Fellowship for which the Fellows are expected to spend at least four weeks at Bangarra's studios on Gadigal Country, in Sydney, throughout 2024. If Fellows are not from Sydney, Bangarra will cover the flights and accommodation. The Fellows will be paid a fee for their final compositions, as well as for their time working while at Bangarra Dance Theatre in Sydney.
The David Page Music Fellowship aims to perpetuate David Page's legacy by fostering the growth of contemporary First Nations artists in the performing arts. It seeks to enhance the visibility and voice of First Nations people through contemporary arts practices that are firmly grounded in Cultural Knowledge, Protocols, and Connection to Land and Story.
The program offers emerging music/sound artists the opportunity to work in a professional, culturally respectful, and collaborative environment, guided by highly experienced mentors.
The David Page Music Fellowship program is generously supported by Robert Albert AO and Libby Albert.
Program Summary
During their Fellowship, recipients will enhance their creative, composition, and production skills by actively contributing to the creation of new scores for Bangarra Dance Theatre productions.
The Fellows will work under the mentorship and guidance of acclaimed composers Steve Francis and Brendon Boney.
Steve Francis collaborated with Page on numerous Bangarra productions and has continued working with the company as a commissioned composer, often drawing on the enormous sample library that David Page gathered and produced over the decades.
Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi man Brendon Boney is an esteemed composer, recording artist and performer, and former recipient of the David Page Music Fellowship.
Both Brendon and Steve will collaborate on the score for Bangarra’s new production Horizon. They will compose the score for The Light Inside, choreographed by Moss Te Ururangi Patterson and Deborah Brown.
The Fellows will participate closely in every stage of Bangarra’s unique Creative Life Cycle, from research and cultural consultation, through the collaborative creative processes, to final production where all the creative elements come together for Dance Clan in late 2024.
Dance Clan is a program of short new dance works created by current Bangarra artists in collaboration with a team of Indigenous composers and designers. It is designed to offer an opportunity for artists to develop their creative practice through the creation of an original work within a supportive and culturally safe environment – The program aims to ignite an exciting new wave of Indigenous storytellers.
The Fellows will work under the mentorship and guidance of acclaimed composers Steve Francis and Brendon Boney.
Steve Francis collaborated with Page on numerous Bangarra productions and has continued working with the company as a commissioned composer, often drawing on the enormous sample library that David Page gathered and produced over the decades.
Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi man Brendon Boney is an esteemed composer, recording artist and performer, and former recipient of the David Page Music Fellowship.
Both Brendon and Steve will collaborate on the score for Bangarra’s new production Horizon. They will compose the score for The Light Inside, choreographed by Moss Te Ururangi Patterson and Deborah Brown.
The Fellows will participate closely in every stage of Bangarra’s unique Creative Life Cycle, from research and cultural consultation, through the collaborative creative processes, to final production where all the creative elements come together for Dance Clan in late 2024.
Dance Clan is a program of short new dance works created by current Bangarra artists in collaboration with a team of Indigenous composers and designers. It is designed to offer an opportunity for artists to develop their creative practice through the creation of an original work within a supportive and culturally safe environment – The program aims to ignite an exciting new wave of Indigenous storytellers.
Applications close Wednesday 24 April 2024.
Schedule (in Sydney):
Bangarra Dance Theatre is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment and encourages people who live with disability to apply for this program. Please contact us if you require support in completing your application.
Contact Daniel Roberts with any queries at daniel@bangarra.com.au.
Schedule (in Sydney):
- 27 May - 9 June:
- Shadow Steve Francis and Brendon Boney throughout development and bump-in of Horizon at the Sydney Opera House.
- 18 November - 1 December:
- Final week of Development for Dance Clan 2024 followed by bump-in week, Community and Opening Night Performances.
- Week commencing 29 April:
- Interviews with shortlisted applicants.
- 6 May:
- All applicants notified about the outcome of their application.
- 17 June:
- Commencement of Creative Meetings.
Bangarra Dance Theatre is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment and encourages people who live with disability to apply for this program. Please contact us if you require support in completing your application.
Contact Daniel Roberts with any queries at daniel@bangarra.com.au.
RUSSELL PAGE GRADUATE PROGRAM
Russell Page, a proud descendent of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh language region of South East Queensland, holds a vital place in Bangarra’s history, and his legacy will remain vibrant in perpetuity.
Younger brother to David and Stephen Page, Russell was an artist of truly immense talent. His performances were mesmerizing, as a colleague he was inspiring, and his twelve years with the company have left an imprint that will never fade and will continue to inspire.
The Russell Page Graduate Program provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance graduates or early career artists to develop as professional dancers through training and mentoring and being a member of the dancer ensemble for performances and touring seasons.
Initiated in 2015, the Russell Page Graduate Program has seen over twenty young artists commence their first professional engagement with Bangarra. Within the current ensemble of dancers, 9 of the 17 dancers have entered the company as Russell Page Graduates.
There are two positions within the Russell Page Graduate Program. Russell Page Graduate Dancer(s) and the Russell Page Graduate Youth Programs Trainee. Check back soon for updates about 2025 applications.
We thank the Sherry-Hogan Foundation, Canny Quine Foundation, The Ross Trust and generous donors for their ongoing support of this program.
Photo: David Page, 2016, photo by Tiffany Parker