Following in David McAllister, Madeleine Eastoe and Steven Heathcote’s footsteps, Kevin Jackson and Leanne Stojmenov travelled from their home town of Perth – to Melbourne – to pursue their careers in dance. Performing for the city you were raised in can be a nerve-wracking experience for any dancer. But when West Australians Kevin and Leanne talk about returning to Perth to perform the leading roles of Odette and Prince Siegfried in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake, they think beaches, sunshine and childhood ballet studios.
Where did you begin your training?
Kevin: I started dancing when I was seven at a small studio in Morley in Perth. My teacher Shirley Farrell ran classes from her backyard shed. I trained in tap and Scottish highland dance for the first few months and, over the next couple of years, Shirley and her twin daughters accommodated my passion to learn all styles of dance and taught me for eight years.
Leanne: I had so many wonderful teachers. My very first teacher was Helen McKay and by the time I was twelve I decided that I wanted to be a ballerina! Helen encouraged me to train with Terri Charlesworth and so I started my full-time training at The Graduate College of Dance the next year. I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to complete my secondary studies as well as pursue my dream.
How would you describe your training there?
Kevin: The training I received at the Shirley Farrell Academy of Dance made me a versatile dancer. I would compete in three competitions a year, along with exams in theatrical tap and classical dance. I believe the huge amount of stage-time I gained as a child shaped the artist I am today. Shirley also taught me a lot about the history and theory behind dance as well as music and stage craft.
Leanne: I trained in a number of different styles including tap, jazz and acrobatics. My classical training was based on the Vaganova method. At first, concentrating on the very basics of ballet technique was quite slow, which was so beneficial to get a clear understanding of what is required to be a ballet dancer. The strict training gradually progressed into gruelling hours of physical and artistic lessons. By the time I was in my last year I was performing nearly every week.
What do you love most about Perth?
Kevin: I love Perth’s family and beach culture. I moved to Melbourne by myself ten years ago and from that day, my one regret was leaving my family and missing out on the big dinners and social events that both sides of my family enjoy.
Leanne: My family! Perth is such a beautiful place to live. It has such great weather, people, beaches, food and wine.
How do you feel about returning to Perth to perform Swan Lake?
Kevin: I am so excited about performing Swan Lake in Perth. I have wanted to perform for my home town since joining the company. It will also be very special to share this moment with Leanne who I have loved watching dance and admired since we were kids. Words can’t describe how lucky I feel to receive this opportunity.
Leanne: It’s been so long since I’ve danced at home. I’m really excited and need I say, a little nervous. The combination of performing my premiere as Odette in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake, all my family and friends in the audience and dancing with Kevin Jackson – my fellow West Australian – is going to be very special. Kevin and I grew up just around the corner from each other so we have a very strong West Australian connection.
What are you looking forward to most about returning to Perth?
Kevin: I am most looking forward to performing a lead role for my family friends and mentors. In some way it will be thanking them for all the hard work, time and belief they invested in me. I owe so much to these people and I can’t wait to finally show them what they have helped me to achieve.
Leanne: Performing for my mum, dad and brother – and giving my dog lots of cuddles.
The Australian Ballet will perform Swan Lake in Perth 21 – 25 October
Good luck and best wishes to both of you. I recently had the pleasure of seeing Kevin in ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and Leanne in a few productions this year, memorably ‘Petrushka’, and I’m sure you’ll both dazzle the old home town.
I was very impressed when I met Kevin at the Premier of Mao’s last Dancer in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre. I enjoyed discussing the parallels and the differences of Li Cunxin and Kevin’s introduction to Ballet. I look forward to following Kevin’s career and predict he will be a Principal of the Australian Ballet in the near future. Good Luck Kevin!
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Excellent
KJ is such a hottie