latest news – Ausdance VIC

We Dance and We Vote

31 August 2022

Advocacy in the lead up to the Victorian State Election As the peak body representing the interests of dance and dancers in Victoria, Ausdance VIC is working to make sure ...

National Cultural Policy Submissions

31 August 2022

The Federal Government has completed the consultation period for a new cultural policy, shaped by Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector. Organisations and individuals were invited to comment on five ...

Attending my first AYDF

31 August 2022

Valerie Tan is a high school student currently completing VET Dance with an Ausdance VIC partner. Valerie attended AYDF 2022 during the July school holidays as an independent dancer, alongside ...

Board Positions: Secretary and Board Member

9 August 2022

Ausdance VIC invites expressions of interest from suitably experienced candidates for the following Board positions: Secretary Board MemberOur work in advocating for the sector has been absolutely critical over the past few ...

Artist EOI: A New Dance Festival

31 May 2022

A new biennial dance festival 1-31 March 2023 is coming. This will be the festival’s pilot year; an experiment. Call Out open Tuesday 31 May 2022Call Out close 9am Monday ...

Reflecting on Dance

27 May 2022

Alisdair Macindoe is an independent multidisciplinary choreographer living on Woi Wurrung country (Melbourne, Australia). He has been on the Ausdance VIC board since 2020. Alisdair is curious about extending the ...

International Dance Day Message

27 April 2022

In 1982 the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on 29 April, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), choreographer and ...

COVID-19 Restrictions easing

21 April 2022

Victorian Government COVID-19 Restriction and Recommendation Changes from 11.59pm Friday 22 April As the peak of the Omicron wave begins to subside – and with almost 70 per cent of ...

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Michelle Silby

Executive Director

Michelle Silby has an extensive career in dance in both creative and administrative functions. She is the Executive Director of both Ausdance NSW and Ausdance Vic. This dual role leads the teams, through strategy, operational efficiencies and large-scale outcomes; the Director of Big Dance Australia (2014-), and the was the Co-convener of the Arts Industry Council Victoria (2017-2019). Currently Michelle sits on the following Industry and government committee’s; ACFIBS for NSW, Industry Advisory Group, Victorian Skills Commission (VIC), Independent Reference Committee, Arts & Culture related Industries, Vice Chair (National training and professional development) Previously Chair, Regional Arts NSW funding 2014-17, Several Arts NSW funding panels, Churchill Fellowship 2013-16.

Over the last 25 years, Michelle has worked across a variety of contexts as a dance performer, teacher, choreographer, educator and management roles: as a director, festival director, company manager and education consultant in the UK, Europe, and the last 14 years, in Australia. After successfully leading Ausdance NSW since Oct 2012, she was appointed Executive Director, Ausdance VIC in Nov 2015. She is inspired by the opportunities that leading both states will bring to the dance sector, wider communities and respective organisations. She has held roles as the Program Manager, Dance at the Australia Council for the Arts, where her responsibilities included; working with the board, policy and strategy, dance funding programs, key dance initiatives, such as Tasmanian Community Dance Project and Young Emerging opportunities for example, JUMP (2010-2012), Executive Producer for the 2014 Australian Dance Awards and is also an Independent Consultant for Arts and Dance with various clients across Australia.

As an arts leader, she is strategic, entrepreneurial and generous with her time and support of others. Michelle was born in the UK, where she studied dance at Arts Educational Schools London, followed by a post-graduate year at London Contemporary Dance School, The Place in 1992. Later in 2000-1, after moving into management and leadership roles, she undertook an intensive arts and business management course for arts leaders and was most recently awarded a subsidised place to attend short course in Australia for not-for-profit leaders by Harvard Business school.

During her 15 year professional dance career in the UK and Europe, Michelle worked across a variety of contexts as performer, touring Europe for over a decade, educator, choreographer, director, festival director, company manager and consultant. A particular highlight of her career in the UK included making a significant contribution to the dance infrastructure for the North East of England, through the formulation and delivery of a dance development plan with secured funding.

Ruby Howard

Christopher Wade

Natalie Cunzolo

Jacqui Maida

Kyall Shanks

Co-Artistic Director

Caitlin Comerford

Co-Artistic Director

Marty Hirst

Communications Officer

Gabrielle Bennet

Dance Development Officer

Sophie Conway

Sage Price

Julia Villaflor

Mihkayla Bartlett

Meghann Burton

MayaRae Navarrete

Jacqui Maida

Ebony Ryan-Miners

Curtis Thorpe

Arshiya Abhishree

Gillian Jordan

RTO Manager

Alisdair Macindoe

Kate Denborough

Amity Jarvis

Henen Haines

Treasurer

Amy Jennings

Secretary

Kelly Dickson

Chair

Alison McIntosh-Deszcz

Manager Marketing, Digital Media and Memberships

Shweta Kawatra

Marketing Communications Manager

Elise Brennan

Program Coordinator

Cathy Smith

RTO Operations Manager

Katrina Rank

Director of Education and Life Long Learning

Robbie Carmellotti

General Manager

Michelle Silby

Executive Director