Nicholas Rijs

2016 VJ Award

Genre: Theatre

Contact: Yes

Nicholas Rijs' work: 

Scotland Calling – By Nicholas Rijs 25th September 2017

The Arts Academy, Federation University, Ballarat - a place for students to begin their quest of becoming a professional actor, dancer, singer, artist and/or all of the above. In 2012, I quit my job, packed up and moved to Melbourne in pursuit of attaining one of the above. After six months of acting classes one night a week, I wanted to study Full Time. “You probably wont get in”, I was told, “I am not sure you have what it takes” - just a few comments on my choice to audition for the nations leading drama schools. Undeterred and even more driven, this advice spurred me on and I successfully auditioned at the Arts Academy, beginning my quest of becoming an actor.

It was during the courses’ 1st year Voice component when I heard the name, Kristin Linklater. Little did I know that 4 years later I would not only be studying the Linklater technique, I would be studying with Kristin herself, in a land very far from the spacious orchards of the Goulburn Valley or icy winters of Ballarat.

A world-renowned voice coach, Kristin has spent 50 years as a professional voice practitioner teaching throughout North America and Europe. Kristin has published two prominent text books, Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Text (1976; revised edition 2006) and Freeing Shakespeare’s Voice: The Actor’s Guide to Talking the Text (1992) which have sold over 150,000 copies and been translated into six languages.

Having done various plays and performance pieces throughout Melbourne since graduating from the Arts Academy, I felt it was time to return to study. After submitting an online application, I was invited by The Kristin Linklater Voice Centre (KLVC) to leave Australia for the first time and travel solo to the Isles of Orkney, Scotland. For 4 intensive weeks (with some short travel in between) I studied with Kristin everyday from 9am to 6pm, with nights spent boarding with other voice students from countries including Germany, UK, Switzerland, USA and New Zealand, to name a few. On rest day’s students would venture out and explore Orkney and all its beauty (Of which Orkney has in abundance).

I studied the Linklater technique starting from the basics – identifying breathing patterns and origins of sound. I built on this right up to Introductory Shakespeare, where I explored sonnets and scenes from the Bard’s cannon.

Building on my learning’s from the Arts Academy, Kristin’s technique solidified my understanding of how to find, and then free my voice. I know exactly what is required of me when performing and using my voice on a daily basis – and it all starts with the breath.

Everything I needed to free my voice, I had already. Kristin taught me how to listen to my body, listen to my voice and realise my ultimate potential. I admit it was challenging at times. “Trying to find an answer” is not a way to explore the work, rather the exploration it’s self was the key. With enough desire and concentration of the moment, I met and overcame those challenges. I now have more confidence than ever before in my voice as an actor, and also a singer.

Since returning in June 2017, I have begun studying a BA - Music Performance at The Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) in Melbourne, where I auditioned for their program as a singer/songwriter. Becoming an actor is still my ultimate goal, however I wish to enhance my musicianship to stretch my boundaries as an artist/performer.

Of course, all of this would not have been possible without the generosity of the Ballarat Arts Foundation. I will be forever thankful to the Foundation and can only endorse the Board’s giving spirit to those wishing to advance their artistic skills. Diverse and engaging, the Ballarat artistic community is at the forefront of Regional Arts leadership and with foundations such as B.A.F, the city of Ballarat will always have a special place in my heart.

Nick wishes to thank the following people who enabled him to study in Scotland
The Ballarat Arts Foundation
His parents - Karen and Mark Rijs
The Arts Academy, Federation University Faculty (2013 – 2015) – Kim
Durban, Ross Hall, Julianne Eveleigh, Angela Campbell, Margaret Mills and Paul Hampton.
Bryce Ives & Nate Gilkes
Tref Gare (Theatre 451)

Louis Stevens

2016 Benjamin Northey Award

Genre: Music

Contact: Yes

Louis Steven's work: 

As It stands I am halfway through my honours year studying composition under the esteemed Australian composer Elliot Gyger and will continue my studies through next year. In the future I am looking to study abroad and complete a Masters of Music, specialising in music for film and other platforms. Right now I am looking at such institutions as NYU Steinhart, The Berklee Institute of Music and the Royal Academy of Music London. I am excited to by the possibilities of this next step an hope to being studying in the year 2019 overseas. 

Lately I have been writing and orchestrating arrangements for the Melbourne Opera company, where I am still playing Double Bass. This year a group of musicians travelled by the broadway sensation Silvie Paladino to china where they spent two weeks travelling. For this tour Melbourne Opera asked me to write several of the arrangements which were performed at some of the biggest venues across china. Silvie being impressed with my arrangements has asked me to arrange the song ‘Man of La Mancha’ for her New Year’s day performance with the Australian Pops orchestra at Hamer hall. Hopefully this will lead to more work in the industry of orchestrating and arranging.

I have also been doing some work for Andrew Dale and the Ballarat Grammar School music department. Just recently I have re-orchestrated and arranged the School song-’Serva Fidem’ and the School Anthem-‘Jupiter Hymn’ for this year’s year 12 speech night celebration. After being commissioned by Nicci Della this year to compose a String Orchestra piece (‘A Light that Burns’) which was performed on their European tour, it is fantastic to still be working with my school and re-affirming the strong relationship I have with the music department. After meetings with the school I look forward to continuing to work with the school throughout next year.

Thank you for the continued support from the Ballarat Arts foundation.

I wish you best for the year 2018.

Regards,

Louis Stevens

Claire McArdle

2016  Rotary Club of Ballarat South Award

Genre: Visual Arts / Jewellery Design

Contact: Yes

Claire McArdle's work: 

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Mio Bayley

2016 Craig Revel Horwood Award and 2017 Craig Revel Horwood Award

Genre: Dance

Contact: Yes

Mio Bayley's work: 

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Felicity Liston

2015 Rotary Club of Ballarat South Award

Genre: Music

Contact: Yes

Felicity Liston's work: 
 

Grease goes on stage September 15th and 16th, I am playing the part of Marty Maraschino! No other recent news I don’t believe, I am still working as an instrumental tutor at Phoenix P-12 Community College, flute specialist. And currently in my second semester of psychological science at Federation University. Absolutely thriving!

 

I graduated year 12 at Phoenix College successfully and am currently studying a cert 4 in Music Industry, at Oxygen College in Geelong. The course involves components of music business, event management, sound recording and live performance, I'm finding it highly beneficial when it comes to improving myself as a holistic musician, I am now learning other instruments such as guitar, and look forward to the opportunities and networks that will arise. I am playing in multiple bands/ensembles including the new 'Broadway to Ballarat' orchestra. I am keeping myself busy also with my involvement as a cast member in BLOCs upcoming production of Wicked. Things are going very well for me, and if ever you see me out and about busking and performing come say hello!

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Meg Spencer

2014 Nicholson Award

Genre: Film / Theatre

Contact: Yes

Meg Spencer's work: 

I'm working away trying to balance acting and a casual job, enjoying an artists life! Towards the end of last year I was lucky enough to land some really fun acting gigs. This year I'm applying for the two year visa to live and hopefully act in London. 

I'm also working on writing and acting in a web series. It's about a young couple in their early twenties dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, it's based on a true story that happened to a partner of mine. It's called Lucky Boy. 

I can't express how much confidence getting the grant from BAF did for my writing and acting all those years back! I'm always grateful! 

I have a director, producer and cinematographer on board for the project and as well as a private funder who will fund half the production of the first episode in early April. We will probably look to crowd fund or other funders for the rest. The idea is to shoot the pilot episode, and then use it to get funding (eg Screen Aus, Screen Vic) to shoot the remainder - if we get that, I will be back from London in a heart beat!

I'm also currently appearing on Sportsbets comedy ads / web series and I'm currently touring in a production of a stage adaptation of Paul Jennings 'The Gizmo.' 

Here's the comedy stuff I've been doing for Sportsbet. 

Lucky Boy - Web Series pilot:
https://australianculturalfund.org.au/projects/lucky-boy-pilot/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMGWtJeVqEM&t=22s&frags=pl%2Cwn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmv0AbnROO8&t=2s&frags=pl%2Cw

Here's an image from the film Crocodile Tears that I did awhile ago

Here's an image from the film Crocodile Tears that I did awhile ago

Two Friends Productions

Amanda Pearce and Jade Thompson

2014 BLOC Music Theatre/Ballarat Lyric Theatre Award & 2015 A H Yung Award

Genre: Theatre

Contact: Yes

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