Cast Your Vote for Your Favourite Dancer!

Click to enlarge NZ native Laura Tong is vying for the 2009 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award title

12 October 2009 – Laura Tong originally from New Zealand is one of six young ballet dancers vying for the prestigious 2009 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award title and associated $20,000 cash prize, provided by Principal Sponsor Telstra.

The Australian public is urged to vote for Laura in the People’s Choice Award which will be decided by public vote, with an additional cash prize of $5,000 awarded to the dancer who receives the highest number of votes.

Laura was born in Whangarei, New Zealand and grew up in Northland, NZ, as well as living in Singapore and London. She started dancing at age four studying with Maureen Ax, Phillipa Campbell and Joye Lowe in NZ, then at the English National Ballet School from 1998 to 2000.

Upon graduation Laura entered the English National Ballet before joining The Australian Ballet in 2004. She was promoted to Soloist in 2009.

Simply SMS Laura to 0439 BALLET or visit http://http://www.telstra.com/beinvolved to cast your online vote prior to entries closing at midnight on 15 November 2009.

By voting you also go in the draw to win an amazing VIP ballet weekend for two, including two premium reserve tickets to The Sleeping Beauty at the Sydney Opera House, plus a pre-performance dinner and twin share accommodation at a 4-star Sydney hotel.*

Celebrating 25 years of partnership in 2009, Telstra and The Australian Ballet conceived the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award in 2003 to nurture and acknowledge emerging ballet talent. It is regarded as the highest accolade of its kind in Australia.

Telstra Consumer Group Managing Director, David Moffatt, said the Award demonstrated Telstra’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts in Australia.

“Telstra is extremely proud of our long association with The Australian Ballet, and each year look forward to acknowledging the emerging talent within the ranks of the Company through the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award”, he said.

Every year, six of The Australian Ballet’s rising stars are nominated for the Award by The Australian Ballet’s artistic staff and Principal Artists.

The judging criteria is based on the artistic quality of the dancers’ work over a full performance year, their perceived potential and personal development and support of other dancers within the Company.

Last year, Western Australia’s Kevin Jackson took out the major award, while a record breaking 72,000 votes were cast for People’s Choice Award winner Amy Harris, from Victoria.

This year’s Telstra Ballet Dancer Award and People’s Choice Award winners will be announced on the main stage of the Sydney Opera House on 5 December as part of Opening Night celebrations for The Sleeping Beauty.

ENDS

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