Australian youth dance at its best - transforming young lives and nurturing Australia’s dance artists of the future.
Our vision
QL2 Dance is dedicated to diverse, challenging and rigorous youth dance which develops the next generation of dance-makers and contributes to a dynamic, caring and diverse society.
We are passionate about extending youth dance beyond training, beyond ‘kids dancing’, to immersive, creative, demanding and ongoing dance experiences. We bring together community and professional practice so young people can present provocative, high-quality performances to both adult and young audiences.
We believe in dance as an expressive artform, as well as an effective and challenging way to develop people and communities. We believe in the power of young people to drive cultural change and we value the unique viewpoint and creativity of each young person, and also value development of physical technique, self-discipline, and critical thinking.
We run programs for ages 8–26 that focus on igniting and developing young people’s creative energy and dance skills.
Young people can join our programs at various points and work with QL2 for periods of a few days to many years. Although we are not a dance school, we provide an excellent extension to other dance training, building a deep understanding of dance-making and performance through hands-on projects.
We provide a continuous support path right through to professional development after tertiary dance training.
We make a positive difference to the lives of young people whether they continue in dance, or take their passion to other fields.
Photography by Art Atelier
“It is honour and a privilege to be QL2 Dance Patron. QL2 truly sets the example for quality dance in Canberra and nationwide. Over my choreographic career I have worked with many artists that have passed through their doors and commend them all on their professionalism, technique and creativity. The training and performance platform that QL2 offer to youth dancers and emerging artists in Australia is of the highest standard; an invaluable asset to the local community.”
achievements
We are a unique organisation in Australia. We deliver quality programs and produce exceptional performances and outstanding opportunities for young people every year. Over the years we have commissioned over 60 choreographers to work with us on our projects providing employment and unique opportunities to emerging and established dance artists.
We have evolved and grown over the past 20+ years with Alumni now making their mark around the world excelling as independent artists, following their chosen paths in national and international dance companies, working as teachers and education officers for major dance companies and extending into cross-art forms. Many have returned to QL2 for commissions and residencies.
Our Artistic Director Ruth Osborne received a Churchill Fellowship to research youth dance practice across the UK in 2017. She received an Australian Dance Award for Service to Dance in 2012 and short listed for an Australian of the Year Award in 2018. QL2 has been a finalist for several years for an Australian Dance Awards for its Quantum Leap Productions.
QL2 was commissioned for the Austrade Export Awards 2018 and has received several commissions from the National Portrait Gallery of Australia in recent years. QL2 has an ongoing relationship with the National Gallery of Australia collaborating recently with them for their American Masters - Merce Cunningham exhibition 2018.
We offer opportunities nationally through our Curated Residency Program and our participation in the Australian Youth Dance Festival. Through financial support from the Tanja Liedtke Foundation we have hosted the Tanja Liedtke Workshop for the last 5 years consistently over the 20 years we have helped our Quantum Leapers to enter the various tertiary institutions and we maintain strong connections to these institutions and to youth dance companies across Australia.
We continue to develop and maintain our international relationships through DaCi (Dance and the Child International) where we have performed and presented papers, our connections with YDance (Youth Dance Scotland) and the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland who we hosted in 2016, as well as a long association with Bangkok Dance Academy and our many alumni overseas.