JACINTA WALSH
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Jacinta Walsh
Born in Melbourne, Jacinta studied classical ballet with some of the most world-renowned master ballet teachers such as Anne Woolliams, Madame Janina Cunova, Peter Appel, David Nixon OBE, Truman Finney and Dr. Lucette Aldous. Under Dr. Lucette Aldous, she studied the classical ballet techniques of Vaganova, the Royal Danish, Paris Opera and the Boris Kniaseff system. In the final year of her secondary school, Jacinta was granted the Big Brother Scholarship to travel to the United Kingdom to perform at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Two years later, Jeanne Pratt awarded Jacinta with the Anthony Joseph Pratt Scholarship for Dance, and later she moved to Europe to begin her career as a professional ballet dancer.
Anne Woolliams
One of Jacinta’s greatest influences was the great master ballet teacher, Anne Woolliams. Woolliams was the co-founder of the John Cranko Ballettschule in Stuttgart, the artistic director of The Australian Ballet, the founding Dean of the Victorian College of the Arts School of Dance and the artistic director of the Vienna State Ballet. Under Woolliams, Jacinta experienced the importance of having a mentor who could both see and draw out a dancer’s full potential while developing the artistic expression of a ballet student; something she constantly aims to emulate for her ballet students. "Under the direction of Anne Woolliams the school advanced to one of the most internationally recognised addresses for talented young dancers." - John Cranko Ballet School
Jacinta Walsh & Mats Ek (right)
Jacinta accepted her first professional engagement with Heinz Spoerli at the Basel Ballet in Switzerland. There she worked with numerous well-known ballet masters and choreographers, including Heinz Spoerli, Maurice Béjart, Youri Vámos, Judith Jamison and Mats Ek. After working with Judith Jamison for her contemporary work, "Divining", Ms. Jamison invited Jacinta to join the Alvin Ailey Summer programme in New York City and wrote, "Your future is so bright!".
Deutsche Oper Berlin
Subsequently, Jacinta moved to Berlin, Germany, to dance with the Berlin Ballet at Deutsche Oper Berlin and worked with world renowned choreographers like John Neumeier, Glen Tetley, Nacho Duato, Peter Schaufuss, Rodrigo Pederneiras, Heinz Spoerli among others. When Glen Tetley, staged “Voluntaries” he promoted Jacinta to soloist in the same ballet.
Her experience with John Neumeier for his ballet “Undine” was also unforgettable.
In Pederneiras' new work, "Alluvium", Dance Europe magazine wrote, "The dancers obviously enjoy performing the piece… Jacinta Walsh notably ´goes for it´…" (Claudi Assmann).
She also was a guest principal with Gregor Seyffert & Company for their European Tour.
Her experience with John Neumeier for his ballet “Undine” was also unforgettable.
In Pederneiras' new work, "Alluvium", Dance Europe magazine wrote, "The dancers obviously enjoy performing the piece… Jacinta Walsh notably ´goes for it´…" (Claudi Assmann).
She also was a guest principal with Gregor Seyffert & Company for their European Tour.
Tiroler Landestheater, Austria
After, Jacinta explored Tanz Theatre (dance-theatre) and was invited by German choreographer and artistic director, Jochen Ulrich, to perform with Tanztheater, Tiroler Landestheater in Austria. She performed as a principal dancer in his ballets: Romeo & Julia, Réverénce and Ich Tanze mit Dir in der Himmel hinein. Mr. Ulrich created several roles for Jacinta and she received very enthusiastic reviews, "the real highlight of the evening: The young dancer Jacinta Walsh ... Absolute highlight: Jacinta Walsh. The enchanting dancers is impressive through strong stage presence, with her radiant charisma." (Moni Brüggeller of Kronen Zeitung) and "... full of charm and humour the Hermes from Jacinta Walsh" (Ursula of Tiroler Tageszeitung)
Jochen Ulrich
In addition, Jacinta was the personal representative and assistant to Mr. Ulrich.
Together they worked tirelessly to help save the three ballet companies in Berlin. Jochen also encouraged Jacinta to undertake her Diploma and Masters in Business Management. He wrote, "Jacinta undertook my personal reference and especially represented my interests in Berlin on cultural political matters. Her work was well constructed, efficient and courageous, and achieved immediate results. Her manners and style are of respectful and highly cultivated forms combined with warm humour and open clarity. I highly recommend her capacities to become a successful company manager for dance. She will be herself the greatest support for the world of dance."
Together they worked tirelessly to help save the three ballet companies in Berlin. Jochen also encouraged Jacinta to undertake her Diploma and Masters in Business Management. He wrote, "Jacinta undertook my personal reference and especially represented my interests in Berlin on cultural political matters. Her work was well constructed, efficient and courageous, and achieved immediate results. Her manners and style are of respectful and highly cultivated forms combined with warm humour and open clarity. I highly recommend her capacities to become a successful company manager for dance. She will be herself the greatest support for the world of dance."
Mikhail Baryshnikov
When Mikhail Baryshnikov and his company the White Oak Dance Project toured to Berlin with "PASTforward", Jacinta joined the ensemble to experience working with one of the greatest male dancers of all time. "Performing on the same stage as the great Mikhail Baryshnikov was one of my career highlights. I grew up deeply admiring two world stars of ballet, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova. To be in the presence of Baryshnikov and to have had the opportunity to engage with him was truly inspirational. I personally thanked him for all he has done and continues to do for dance!"
